Understanding your cattle brings benefits
Knowing how a certain cow acts or responds can often indicate something about her health and well-being as well.
Read More
The Lake County Farm Bureau recognizes the importance of developing future leaders in the agriculture industry and remains deeply committed to investing in their education. With that mission in mind, we are proud to introduce our 2026 scholarship award winners.
Seeing the dedication, innovation, and leadership qualities in these recipients gives us total confidence that the future of agriculture will be prosperous and strong. Please join us in honoring and celebrating these exceptional students as they prepare to make a lasting impact on our agricultural community.
Paige Lucic receives $1,000. Paige is the daughter of Steven and Lynne Lucic of Chardon. She is a 2021 graduate of Chardon High School and is a graduate student at the University of Findlay working toward a doctorate in physical therapy. She was involved in Collegiate FFA, Findlay’s Beef Cattle Show Team, Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, and Doctor of Physical Therapy Student Organization. Paige grew up in agriculture and continues to share with others about the significant role agriculture plays in our lives. She plans to be a 4-H advisor and looks forward to serving farmers and animals in the community through physical therapy.
Kylie Ohmes receives $1,000. Kylie is the daughter of Steven and Sarah Ohmes of Painesville. She is a 2024 graduate of Riverside High School and is attending West Virginia University, working toward a degree in animal and nutritional science. She is on the WVU Pre Vet Club, volunteers for WVU’s Golden Hearts program, where she trains and fosters service dogs, and volunteers at On Eagles Wings, a horse therapy barn for individuals with disabilities. Kylie plans on becoming a large animal veterinarian and hopes to fill a gap in her rural community for local farmers.
Marc Ball receives $500. Marc of Painesville is the son of Jason and Jolene Santee. He is a 2025 graduate of Riverside High School and is attending The Ohio State University – Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster, majoring in agribusiness. Marc is a member of the Agricultural Systems Management (ASM) Club, Agricultural Communicators, Educators, and Leaders of Tomorrow (ACELT), and Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR) Fraternity Beta Chapter at Ohio State. Driven by a passion for agronomy and ag business, Marc’s immediate goal is to enter seed sales to build industry relationships, support producers with dependable solutions, and demonstrate that anyone can succeed in agriculture regardless of their background. He then plans to leverage this valuable business experience to relocate to Texas with his parents and establish his own cattle, crop, and show pig operation while giving back to youth programs like 4-H.
Audrey “Ruby” Pealer receives $500. Ruby is the daughter of Brian and Jennifer Pealer of Perry. She is a 2024 graduate of Perry High School and is attending Lake Erie College, majoring in equine on the pre-veterinary track. She is a member of the Equine Leadership Council, Western Riding Team, Tower Honors Program, STEMM Scholars Program, AND Learning Communities Mentor. Ruby wants to be a veterinarian and hopes to help farmers with their animals and provide high-quality care for others within her community.
Emma Feckanin receives $250. Feckanin is the daughter of Steve and Diane Feckanin of Madison. She is a 2025 graduate of Riverside High School and is attending Mercyhurst University, majoring in early childhood education and special education. Emma was involved u 4-H and is now part of the volleyball club, and Campus Ministry Fellowship. Emma plans to be a teacher who brings agriculture into her classroom. She wants to use hands-on lessons to teach elementary students in city and suburban areas about farming and science. Outside of teaching, she plans to raise her own livestock and volunteer for her local 4-H program to help young people. As a woman in the industry, she also hopes to inspire other girls and show everyone that anyone can be a part of agriculture.
Macie Wrachford receives $250. Wrachford is the daughter of David and Amy Wrachford of Mentor. She is a 2022 graduate of Mentor High School and is attending The Ohio State University, majoring in agricultural business. She is in the Ag Business Club, interned with the Ohio Quarter Horse Association, and works at NRS Ohio (formerly Rod’s Western Palace) and owns her own business, Zapped Cowgirls, where she sells jewelry and offers hat shaping and boot cleaning. Wrachford hopes to be involved with the communications, marketing, and advocacy part within the western industry. Macie wants to work in marketing and communication to advocate for the farming and rodeo industries. She currently works at NRS Ohio, where she shapes hats and helps with social media, and she hopes to use this experience to become a western influencer. She loves using her background in agriculture to teach customers who do not know much about farming. Specifically, she wants to use her online content to defend rodeo animal welfare, showing people that these animals are well cared for and treated with respect.
Congratulations to you all, and the best of luck in your future endeavors.
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Featured Articles
It’s finally fall on the farm
This fall, as you’re picking up a pumpkin spice latte or an apple cider doughnut, don’t forget to bring home a squash.
Read More
Preparing for emergencies saves time, money
Preparation may not be as exciting as purchasing new equipment, but when an emergency occurs, it can be one of the best investments you ever make.
Read More
Grange ties families with agriculture
The Grange was a place to meet with and get to know your neighbors in a safe, family-friendly atmosphere.
Read More
Patterson serving on 2026 OFBF Policy Development Committee
Bill Patterson of Chesterland is serving on the 2026 Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Policy Development Committee.
Read More
Raising livestock can be family affair
While we may walk into those barns thinking we’re raising livestock for the county fair, somewhere along the way we’re raising kids, too.
Read More
Expanding into a new farm venture
Who knew that what started as having to come up with a prefix for my first homebred Jersey would grow into such a brand and new business ventures for me.
Read More
Summers on the farm transition into school
Not every child will grow up on a farm, but every child deserves some version of the freedom my grandparents’ farm gave me — the freedom to be curious, learn by doing and grow at their own pace.
Read More
Preserving your harvest
Canning and freezing are the most common ways to preserve garden vegetables, but it’s important to follow the correct steps to preserve quality and taste, and to promote food safety.
Read More
Agricultural outreach grows community awareness
This past month has been filled with so many wonderful opportunities to share our love and passion for farming, and to give consumers a small glimpse into what it takes to raise and care for crops and animals.
Read More