Jonathan and Alyssa Zucker of Marion County, Ohio, have been appointed to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee for the 2023-25 term, which begins in February.

As Marion County Farm Bureau members for the past 13 years, both have been involved in local activities and are serving as co-chairs on the Young Agricultural Professionals state committee, creating outreach efforts and programs geared toward Farm Bureau members ages 18-35. 

Jonathan is a seventh-generation farmer working in partnership with his grandfather, Roy Loudenslager. They produce corn, soybeans and sweet corn in Marion County. Alyssa keeps books for Stansbery Seed and Service and Tactical Ag, and her family’s farm is in Wyandot County, where they raise cattle, sheep, chickens, hay, corn, soybeans and wheat. 

“We have a desire to learn and improve farming and management practices and have been blessed with a great legacy that we want to see passed down for generations to come,” the Zuckers said.

The Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee is made up of 16 positions representing all regions of the U.S. An individual or couple may hold each committee appointment. Committee members are responsible for program planning, which includes the coordination of competitive events during American Farm Bureau’s convention each January, and the Harvest for All program.

Forestry foundation awards conservation education grants

The Ohio Forestry Association Foundation has awarded grants for conservation education projects throughout Ohio. These grants will generally be small-scale and are designed to assist an organization with funding to be used in the following calendar year.

The following entities were 2023 grant recipients:

The Ohio Forestry Association Foundation is a charitable, nonprofit organization that works to promote conservation education and critical awareness of the importance of forest resources to the environment and economy. Learn more at ohioforest.org. 

Ohio Farm Bureau promotes 3 to director roles

Ohio Farm Bureau staff members Julie Shull, Jennifer Taylor and Kelsey Turner have been elevated to director positions within Ohio’s largest farm and food organization.

Shull has been promoted to director of events for OFB. She will add to her more than 25 years of service at OFB by continuing to provide vision and leadership in the planning and execution of major events for the organization, including the state annual meeting, the Land and Living exhibit at the Ohio State Fair, and the Young Ag Professionals Winter Leadership Experience. Shull also will lead the effort to continue to grow OFB’s travel program.

Taylor has been named OFB’s director of county support. In her new role, she will be a liaison to assist county farm bureaus with support on accounting processes, as well as overseeing accounting services in the new OFB service delivery pilot program for eight county farm bureaus in northwest Ohio.

Turner has advanced to director of leadership and business development for OFB. In her new role, she will continue to provide leadership to the Young Agricultural Professionals programming, but also will support alternative revenue generation efforts for the organization. 

Learn more at ohiofarmbureau.org.

Attend Anhydrous Ammonia Safety workshops

Learn more about chemical properties, proper handling, cautions and hazards when working with anhydrous ammonia at the Anhydrous Ammonia Safety Workshop training program. Coordinated and planned by the Ohio AgriBusiness Association’s Safety & Risk Management subcommittee, the training features experts from both within and outside of the industry that will also address equipment and containment.

Participants will spend the morning in a classroom setting and will move to smaller breakout sessions in the afternoon. The training features experts from both within and outside of the industry, including those from Ohio Department of Agriculture, Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Public Utilities Commission.

Events will be held March 8 at the Heritage Cooperative in Mechanicsburg, and March 9 at the Legacy Farmers Cooperative in Arlington.

For more information and to register, visit oaba.net/events. 

Conference to focus on resiliency in agribusinesses

Looking for education and networking opportunities for agribusiness professionals, the Ohio AgriBusiness Association is inviting you to attend its annual conference from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 at the Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris Hotel.

“This year, we focus on how companies can empower resiliency in their business to overcome adversities in an ever-changing agribusiness environment,” says Chris Henney, OABA president and CEO. “Attendees can expect engaging general sessions, applicable and diverse breakout sessions, dedicated networking time and to leave better equipped to help their company thrive.”

The OABA Industry Conference will kick off with the welcome reception the evening of Jan. 31, immediately following the featured Safety & Risk Management Day. The conference will continue with educational and informative content Feb. 1-2, and includes the OABA Annual Meeting Luncheon and evening Industry Reception on Feb. 1.

Session topics include economic outlook, nutrient supply, geopolitical impacts on agriculture, drone application, autonomous vehicles, farm-gate viewpoint, livestock outlook, fertilizer efficiencies, mental health and wellness, and hands-on sessions with agricultural weeds and insects, plus more.

Continuing education units will be available for both certified crop advisers and state licensed pesticide applicators who attend the conference. A general agenda is available at oaba.net.

All-inclusive registration for the event covers admission to the two main days of educational programming (Feb. 1-2), the Safety & Risk Management Day (Jan. 31) and all meals and receptions. Registration fees are $375 ($450 after Jan. 15) for members and $525 ($600 after Jan. 15) for nonmembers.

Individual day registrations are also available, as are exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities. Visit oaba.net for more information and to register.

Hotel accommodations for the Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris Hotel can be made online by visiting oaba.net. The OABA hotel block reservation deadline is Jan. 15.