Community

AgriPOWER educates, empowers and connects Ohio agriculture’s rising leaders in every sector. Through a 12-month, cohort-based program, class members will be able to:

• Leverage strengths to maximize individual influence in leadership opportunities
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders, consumers and policymakers
• Explain current issues in food, agriculture and the environment
• Outline the legislative process at the state and federal levels
• Create strong personal networks within and beyond Ohio agriculture

Through personal development workshops, issues expert speakers, industry tours and a class project, AgriPOWER Class XVI will be equipped to positively impact their industry and community.

Investment

The value of the AgriPOWER program is more than $12,000, but class members are only responsible for a tuition payment of $4,500. (Additional financial support available on a competitive basis.)

Due to the generous support of industry partners to provide the remaining $7,500 per class member, each participant is expected to actively participate in every session of the program. 

Dates

Seminar 1: Tuesday, Dec. 9 – Wednesday, Dec. 10 in Columbus

Seminar 2: Thursday, Jan. 15 – Friday, Jan. 16 in Ohio

Seminar 3: Thursday, Feb. 12 – Friday, Feb. 13 in Ohio

Seminar 4: Tuesday, March 24 – Wednesday, March 25 in Ohio

Seminar 5: Wednesday, June 24 – Sunday, June 28 out of state

Seminar 6: Tuesday, Sept. 8 – Thursday, Sept. 10 in Washington, D.C.

Seminar 7: Thursday, Nov. 19 – Friday, Nov. 20 in Ohio

Graduation: Thursday, Dec. 10 at Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Columbus

Application timeline

Aug. 1 – Applications due

Aug. 15 – Applicants notified if selected for an interview

Sept. 4 – Applicant interviews via Zoom

Sept. 15 – Class offers made

Oct. 1 – Class members sign a commitment form to participate in Class XVI

Program Component Preview:

• Leadership development sessions
• Communication and stage presence trainings
• Networking and etiquette workshops
• Advocacy training
• Speakers and tours of Ohio’s top commodities and diverse sectors to understand current opportunities and challenges:
  • Soybeans
  • Corn
  • Poultry
  • Dairy
  • Pork
  • Food manufacturing and distribution
  • …and more!
• Panel discussion with township trustees and county commissioners
• Tours of Ohio Statehouse and Ohio Department of Agriculture
• Speakers to address issues affecting rural communities, such as pressures on land use and rural health care access
• Washington, D.C. experience with focus on federal issues and congressional visits
• Multiday tour of agriculture in another region of the United States

Testimonials

“It is hard to describe how valuable and rewarding AgriPOWER was for me. Because of the leadership development, networking and education this program provides, I cannot recommend it enough. The leadership development challenged me to reflect on how my personality works with others and gave me the skills to grow as a leader in my community and profession. I truly valued the opportunity to see the Ohio Farm Bureau’s inner workings and interact with government officials on agricultural issues. Another highlight of AgriPOWER is the industry tours we participated in Ohio and out of state. It was wonderful seeing different aspects of agriculture outside of my paradigm. Finally, the ability to network with my classmates has given me lasting friendships and a strong network throughout our industry in Ohio.”

• Emily Warnimont, Trans Ova Genetics

“AgriPOWER gave me the confidence to apply for a township trustee position when it came open and then run for the position a year later. It has given me connections with government officials at all levels and created a lasting professional and friendship network that spans all of Ohio and a variety of professions. I still cite one of our visits to Syngenta when discussing GM’s with people. Honestly, AgriPOWER is one of the best programs I have ever done!”

• Christen Clemson, Maplewood Local School District

“Participating in AgriPOWER has truly transformed my perspective on leadership. The program provided me with invaluable opportunities to meet and network with like-minded agricultural professionals. AgriPOWER is more than just a program; it’s a platform that showcases the diverse facets of agriculture that we rarely get to see in Ohio. This experience has broadened my understanding and appreciation of the agricultural industry and OFBF.”

• Jon Brookbank, Farm Credit Mid-America

“This program helped me become more self-aware as a leader. Relationships are vital in business, and you can never put a price on going to a networking event. AgriPOWER provided me with resources to develop skills to work with different personalities and provided many networking opportunities.”

• Megan Dresbach, W.D. Farms LLC

“AgriPOWER is a powerful platform that helped launch me into the next phase of growth in my professional development. It gave me the leadership tools and network to be a better leader both for my business and my community.”

• Matt Vodraska, Bent Ladder Cider and Wine

“I came into the program with limited Farm Bureau experiences or farm policy knowledge. Through this process, I learned about how my local, as well as the state and national, Farm Bureau organizations assist with problems across the states. I had no idea the amount of similarities I would also share with the diverse group of peers in the class. I learned so much more from them to help in my personal journey. I’m so thankful I applied to be part of this elite group!”

• Cristen Cramer, Legacy Farmers Cooperative

“AgriPOWER gives agricultural professionals the opportunity to work beside other leaders to be a strong advocate for agriculture. I gained a deeper knowledge of Ohio agriculture, public policy, and the work that the Ohio Farm Bureau does. In addition to developing lifelong relationships, AgriPOWER provides hands-on experiences to network with multiple agricultural groups across the state and country.”

• Cora Willeke, Ag Credit, ACA

Applications for the 2025-2026 class are due Aug. 1, 2025.