Recognizing a need for leaders who can be advocates for the food and agricultural industries, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation created AgriPOWER. Now in its eighth year, 24 new farmers and agribusiness professionals have been selected for the 2016-2017 AgriPOWER Leadership Institute Class. This elite training program spans a year and participants will learn about local, state and federal public policy topics important to the agricultural and food industry.

Ag leadership program brings on 24 Ohioans for year-long training

AgriPOWER’s leadership training helps class members develop important skills necessary to becoming effective leaders and advocates, including spokesperson and media training, etiquette training, social networking, communications and more, according to Melinda Witten, AgriPOWER director. Seven, two-to-three day training sessions are held throughout the year with one in Washington, D.C. to help class members gain a valuable understanding of national and global issues. Another training session will be in Georgia so participants can learn about the differences and similarities in agriculture from state to state.

Participants are Nate Bair of Upper Sandusky, Ryan Conklin of Columbus, Amanda Crawford of North Canton, Haley Davis of Bucyrus, Paul Dorrance of Chillicothe, Jessica Draganic of South Solon, Charlie Ellington of Louisville, Tracy Emrick of Doylestown, Britta Fenstermaker of McComb, Jerri Furniss of Westerville, Dave Green of New Washington, Brad Guckian of Camden, Andy Hollenback of Utica, Linda Ayres-Louiso of West Union, Seth Middleton of Sidney, Bennett Musselman of Orient, Rita Myers of Oregon, Jessica Parrish of Columbus, Racine Ramsey of Mechanicsburg, Jan Shannon of Orient, Macy Staggs of Seaman, Nathan Vandenbroek of Findlay, Clark Walker of Vinton and J.D. Winteregg of Troy.

“Over the years, AgriPOWER graduates have taken the training they received and applied it to their businesses, communities and ag industry,” explains Witten. “They’ve really stood out with their leadership whether it’s at a township meeting or at a meeting with their member of Congress in Washington.”

In addition to Ohio Farm Bureau, AgriPOWER partners include Nationwide Insurance, Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation, Heartland Bank, Champaign Premium Grain Growers, Ohio FFA Foundation, Farm Credit Mid-America, Wright & Moore Law Co. LPA, Agland Co-op, Ag Credit, Bob Evans, Southern Ohio Agricultural & Community Development Foundation and  Farm Bureaus in Hancock, Licking, Lucas, Pickaway, Shelby, Stark, Summit, Union and Wyandot counties.

For additional information about AgriPOWER, visit ofb.ag/agripower.