This year's conference session topics include business decision-making, leadership, farm finances and succession planning, health care, marketing, grants, and stress management.
The Ohio Farm Bureau Young Agricultural Professionals State Committee has put together an incredible array of speakers, taking feedback from young ag professionals as to their interests.
4 – 5 p.m.
Health Care Coverage: What You Need to Know
Ohio Farm Bureau Health Care Solutions
Selecting health care options can be overwhelming and confusing. Join this session to hear from industry professionals. Learn secrets and tips when selecting the best, most affordable health coverage option for you and your family. Ohio Farm Bureau Health Care Solutions has partnered with some of the best in the business to help members stay on the farm and grow the business without worrying about their health coverage. Learn more about Ohio Farm Bureau’s newest resource that we are offering our members: Farm Bureau Health Plans.
Panel Discussion: What You Need to Know About Selling at Farmers Markets
Thinking about becoming a vendor at a farmers market? Come hear directly from experts to learn about the key steps related to permits, food safety, cottage food law, and more.
Panelists:
Leah Hetrick, Director of Legal Education & Member Engagement, Ohio Farm Bureau
Sara Hill, Ohio Farmers Market Network President & Garretsville Farmer’s Market Marketing Manager
Traven Wood, Director of Indoor Environmental Health, Licking County Health Department
Keynote: Grow Through It
Kiah Twisselman Burchett, better known as Coach Kiah
By sharing her personal story with wit, humor, agriculture and vulnerability intertwined, Kiah will offer a new perspective on the hardships we face to leave audiences feeling deeper connected to themselves and others while also feeling empowered to bloom through discomfort as they continue their journeys ahead.
9 – 10 a.m.
Farm Policy Outlook
Faith Parum, American Farm Bureau Federation
This session will break down the latest developments in farm policy, including the 2025 Farm Bill, safety net programs, and trade priorities. We’ll highlight how these changes could impact farmers and ranchers in the year ahead.
Leadership Panel: Pathways to Success
Nationwide
Join us for an enlightening session where you’ll gain valuable insights from Nationwide and other industry leaders about their career paths and leadership journeys. This session will explore how early career decisions shape trajectories, tips for navigating career transitions, and the importance of mentorship and networking. Additionally, attendees will learn about key leadership skills, hear stories of resilience and overcoming obstacles, and discover ways to encourage innovative thinking and build a personal brand. This session aims to inspire and guide the next generation of agricultural innovators by sharing the experiences and wisdom of established leaders.
Raising Responsible & Safe Farm Children
Dee Jepsen, Ohio State University
How does a child’s age and stage of development match up to the farm chores they are assigned? What expectations do adults put on their children or young workers that exceed their mental and physical limitations? Learn best practices and legal parameters of youth employment on Ohio farms.
Safeguarding the Future of Animal Ag: Mitigating Extremist Threats
Animal Ag Alliance
Animal rights extremists are becoming more aggressive and strategic—using tactics like undercover videos, protests, legislative pressure, and corporate targeting to disrupt animal agriculture. In this session, Safeguarding the Future of Animal Ag: Mitigating Extremist Threats, attendees will gain insight into the evolving activist playbook and learn practical steps to protect farms, businesses, and the broader food chain. Walk away with actionable strategies for farm security, crisis communication, and building proactive relationships to defend against activist campaigns.
Sales Strategies for Cut Flowers
Steve & Gretel Adams, Sunny Meadows Flower Farm
From farmer’s markets to online sales and everything in between, figure out what works best for your business style. Utilizing good photography, social media, email newsletters, and online sales to help grow your sales beyond only face-to-face sales. Build your brand, a website, and make yourself more accessible to the people!
10:15 – 11:15 am
Bridging the Divide: Understanding Conflict Styles & Giving Effective Feedback
Traci Via, Agriculture Future of America
Conflict is inevitable in farming, ranching, and life—but how we handle it makes all the difference. In this interactive workshop, we’ll explore different conflict styles, helping you recognize your own tendencies and how they impact communication. You’ll also learn the Situation-Behavior-Impact (SBI) feedback model, a simple yet powerful tool for giving clear, constructive feedback without escalating tension. Whether you’re working with family, employees, or business partners, these skills will help you navigate tough conversations with confidence and clarity. Walk away with practical strategies to foster healthier, more productive relationships in your agricultural operation.
Effective Leadership Principles: Character, Collaboration, & Communication
Steve Bush
Desire to become an extraordinary leader? This session will equip you with an understanding of the key pillars of leadership and practice strategies to apply them in your own journey.
Make the System Work for You: USDA, FSA & Grant Navigation for Producers
Hannah DiVencenzo, AgriBridge Consulting
Navigating USDA, FSA, and grant programs can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. In this session, Hannah DiVencenzo of AgriBridge Consulting will break down the most useful funding opportunities available to farmers and walk through the steps to access them. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to scale, you’ll leave with tools to turn paperwork into progress.
OSU Agronomy Update and How to Engage in eFields Research
Elizabeth Hawkins, Ohio State University Extension
Sharing the latest in OSU Extension agronomy research and on-farm research opportunities with eFields.
Using Social Media to Build Trust with Grocery Shoppers About Farming
Brandi Buzzard
Social media can be a powerful tool in connecting grocery shoppers to the real stories of how food is produced. Audience members will learn how to identify their target audience, gain insight on creatively using social media platforms, hear advice on responding with passion and patience, and learn how to craft engaging messages and visuals while also enjoying some laughs along the way.
Noon – 1:15 pm (keynote during lunch general session)
The Exciting Future of Ag
Jim Schwartz, Beck’s Hybrids
Despite all of the challenges facing the agricultural industry, there are many reasons to be excited about the future of ag! Jim combines both the experience of his 40-year career as an agronomist, as well as the unique perspective he has of the future from his current role as the Director of Research, Agronomy, and PFR for Beck’s Hybrids to share why he is excited about the future of ag and what that means for Young Ag Professionals.
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Business Decision Making
Steve & Gretel Adams, Sunny Meadows Flower Farm
Hear how first-generation farmers, Gretel & Steve Adams of Sunny Meadows Flower Farm, built their farm from scratch to the business it is today. Starting with the idea of homesteading, and turning it into a business took decisive risks and utilizing financing to build infrastructure. From mentors they’ve crossed paths with, to tools like enterprise budgets and cash flow planning, figure out how to guide your decisions as you determine what business model may best suit your goals.
Fear-Based Marketing: How to Recognize and Rebut It
Brandi Buzzard
Food companies spend millions of dollars to develop marketing campaigns in order to persuade shoppers to grab their product and it comes at the expense of shoppers’ consciences. Learn how to identify bogus marketing ploys at the grocery store and how to rebut them with science-based agriculture facts.
Lobbying 101: How does Lobbying Actually Work?
Jack Irvin, Ohio Farm Bureau
The Lobbying 101 session will cover lobbying basics ranging from “How does lobbying actually work?” to “How to reach out to elected officials if you want to talk to them?”.
So Grain Prices Suck…Now What?
Ryan Martin, Ohio Ag Net
Succession Starts Now: Financial Planning for the Next Generation
Micah Mensing, Farm Credit Mid-America
A successful succession plan doesn’t happen by chance; it starts with smart financial planning today. Learn how young and beginning farmers can prepare for the next purchasing opportunity, build financial resilience and engage their professional team in the farm’s future.
2:45 – 3:45 pm
Beats Me: An Honest Meteorologist’s Answer about the Coming Year’s Weather
Ryan Martin, Ohio Ag Net
Lessons Lived & Learned: A Panel of Young Farmer Succession Stories
Wright & Moore Law
The list of succession challenges faced by young farmers can be extensive. Whether it is communication issues, a farm accident, obtaining credit, competition for land, balancing on/off farm work and family, or a host of other obstacles, the road to farm success is rocky. However, a path exists. A panel of young farmers, with the help of a moderator from Wright & Moore, are ready to share their tales of trials and triumphs in farm succession.
The Uncontrollables: Manage Stress When Everything’s Out of Your Control
Sarah Zastrow
Weather, sick livestock, markets and crazy family dynamics- what do they have in common? You have no control, and that’s what makes it so hard. Learn how to manage stress when you can’t really do anything to change the circumstances. This session will include easy-to-implement stress relief techniques, changes in perspective and a lot of laughs along the way.
If you are interested in attending the Winter Leadership Experience, you can register online. Sponsorship is on a first come first serve basis.
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If you are interested in attending the Winter Leadership Experience, you can register online. Sponsorship is on a first come first serve basis.
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Meet the four new members of Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Ag Professionals State Committee.
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Cuyahoga County Farm Bureau sponsoring Young Ag Professionals attending the 2026 Winter Leadership Experience
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Lorain County Farm Bureau sponsoring Young Ag Professionals attending the 2026 Winter Leadership Experience
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Richland County Farm Bureau will reimburse full registration for the first three attendees who contact the county office before the event.
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Get the inside scoop on the 2026 Winter Leadership Experience from our keynote speaker and members of the Young Ag Professionals Committee.
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Marion County Farm Bureau will reimburse partial registration fees for attendees who contact the county office before the event.
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Morrow County Farm Bureau will reimburse full registration for the first two attendees who contact the county office prior to the event.
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Hear about the upcoming Winter Leadership Experience and the recent trip to Washington, D.C., for Young Ag Professionals and the current AgriPOWER class.
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