Young Ag Professionals
Programs and Opportunities
Strong agriculture communities start with strong leaders. Find out about our programs and experiences designed for Young Ag Professionals.
State Young Agricultural Professionals Committee
State Committee members assist with creating educational and leadership development programs for Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Agricultural Professionals, specifically the Winter Leadership Experience each year. 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 2024-2026 committee are closed.
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 open in the fall. Recipients for the 2024 grants were announced at the Winter Leadership Experience Jan. 26-27 in Columbus.
Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Board of Directors
In 2020, Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation created a 16th seat on its board of directors specifically created for an active Young Ag Professional member who has a passion for fundraising and is interested in further developing their leadership skills. This position is a one-year term as a voting member of the foundation board, with the opportunity to serve a second year as appointed by the Board of Directors.
Applications for this board seat are closed. The announcement of the new director will be made in early December 2024.
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 are in their second year on the committee.