State Young Agricultural Professionals Committee

State Committee members assist with creating educational and leadership development programs for Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Agricultural Professionals. A total of eight positions are on the team, and a position may be filled by either a single individual or a married couple. Members serve a two-year term with four returning and four new positions each year.

Applications for the 2023-2025 committee are closed. Meet the newest committee members.

Local Young Ag Professionals Programming

County level Young Ag Professionals groups are popping up across the state. Each group’s activities are driven by those who participate, with some focusing on educational activities, some on social activities, and some combine both. Find out where these local groups are, and if there is not a group near you, contact your county Farm Bureau about starting one! 

Collegiate Farm Bureau

Collegiate students at Ohio State University, Wilmington College and Wright State University Lake Campus who are engaged and interested in the food and agriculture industry can join the Collegiate Farm Bureau. Collegiate Farm Bureau serves as a connection between current industry professionals and students, promotes agriculture and related fields and works to develop future leaders of the agriculture industry by providing opportunities for students in leadership and civic engagement, career development, professional development, and experiential learning.

Funding for local YAP and Collegiate Farm Bureaus

County Farm Bureau Young Ag Professionals groups and Collegiate Farm Bureau groups can obtain funding for local projects thanks to the generous support of Farm Credit Mid-America. Applications are due Jan. 14, 2024. Recipients for the 2024 grants will be announced at the Winter Leadership Experience Jan. 26-27 in Columbus.

Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Board of Directors

In 2020, the foundation created a 16th seat on the board specifically for an active Young Ag Professional member who is passionate about Ohio agriculture, has an interest in the foundation and fundraising, and who would like to further develop their own leadership skills. This position is for a one-year term, voting member of the foundation board with the opportunity to serve a second year as recommended by the Foundation Board of Directors. The new YAP member on the board is Karl Wedemeyer, whose term began Jan. 1, 2023.

 

American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers

Ohio Farm Bureau has been well represented at the national level with members on the YF&R Committee. Jonathan and Alyssa Zucker, from Marion County, began their two-year term on the committee in February.