Charlie and Casey Ellington have been named the 2020 chaircouple of the Ohio Farm Bureau Young Ag Professionals Committee. Serving as committee co-chair is Aaron Harter and serving as secretary is Megan Brannon.
Charlie is the Director of Feed at Heritage Cooperative, Casey is the Executive Director for the Louisville Area Chamber of Commerce. The Ellington’s own and operate Ellington Farms, raising beef, pork, chicken, hay and grain crops, balancing direct to consumer and commercial sales. The Ellington’s also have three children.
Harter, an environmental manager for Denali Water Solutions, is an active Farm Bureau member from Preble County. He attended the Young Ag Professionals’ Washington, D.C. trip in 2017, has served as residuals committee chair of the Indiana Water Environment Association and as a volunteer of the Preble County Pork Festival.
Brannon resides in Tuscarawas County with her husband, Tyrone, where they have poultry, raise produce and herbs and specialize in microgreens.… Continue reading
The annual Ohio AgriBusiness Association Industry Conference is underway, inspiring attendees to look forward into 2020 and beyond to the opportunities and challenges ahead.
To kick off the event on Jan. 30, Michael Swanson, an economist with Wells Fargo Bank, talked about how the three-point line changed the strategy of the game of basketball with the addition of an arbitrary line added to the court. Coaches, players and teams all had to adjust their game plans to account for the change and those who adapted most quickly and effectively had the advantage. Agriculture certainly has some similarities.
“Every day someone is drawing a new three point line on our court. It could be a regulatory three-point line. It could be a technology three-point line. Either way, it changes the game,” Swanson said. “Agriculture used to be a labor intensive industry and now it is an input driven industry. You used to be able to get up earlier, work later and out produce your neighbor.… Continue reading
The American Lamb Board (ALB) elected FY2020 leadership at its meeting Jan. 22, held prior to the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) convention. The national board saw the retirement of one Ohioan, Jim Percival or Greene County, and the addition of another, Donald Hawk of Knox County.
The newly elected chair is Gwendolyn Kitzan, South Dakota. vice chair is David Quam, Texas. Elected for a second term as secretary is Greg Deakin, Illinois, and treasurer is Rob Rule, Iowa.
Taylor Pontsler has been named Ohio Farm Bureau Federation organization director for Champaign, Clark, Darke and Miami counties.
In her new role, Pontsler will serve as a liaison between the county Farm Bureaus and Ohio Farm Bureau. In addition, she will assist county groups in the development and implementation of programs to strengthen their organizations, enhance their ability to serve members and affect positive change at the community level.
Pontsler received her associate’s degree from Clark State Community College, where she studied agricultural business, and her bachelor’s degree from Wilmington College, where she studied agronomy. She previously served as marketing and media associate for Champaign, Clark, Darke and Miami county Farm Bureaus.
Pontsler resides in New Carlisle has been an active member of Clark County Farm Bureau for the past four years.… Continue reading
Peter Thomison, professor and Extension state specialist for corn production, retired from Ohio State University at the end of December 2019 after 30 years of service.
Thomison was an active member of Ohio State University Extension’s Agronomic Crops Team and was often featured in Ohio’s Country Journal articles. He contributed hundreds of timely, high-impact articles to the CORN newsletter, wrote several bulletins and Fact Sheets, and could be seen throughout Ohio during winter Extension meetings and field days.
Thomison was at the forefront of corn production research, including corn hybrid by management interactions, causes and identification of abnormal corn ears, phenological responses of corn to heat accumulation, and agronomic performance and grain quality of specialty corn. His Extension and research efforts to develop cropping systems that minimize production inputs and impact on environmental quality will have a lasting impact on Extension, farmers, and the ag industry.… Continue reading
Luke Houghton of Westerville has been named director of development for the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation, as part of Ohio Farm Bureau’s Strategic Partnerships department. He will be focusing his efforts on fundraising for the foundation and maintaining its scholarship programs.
Years as a legislative aide at the Statehouse in Columbus have given Houghton an extensive background in advocacy, fundraising, and strategic campaign management at the state and national level, and a solid understanding of agricultural and rural issues. Most recently, Houghton was with the Sportsmen’s Alliance as its director of state services. He received his bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Wright State University, where he began his membership with the Delta Tau Delta fraternity.
He is a native of Pickaway County where his family’s corn, soybean and wheat operation is located.… Continue reading
Plant pathologist Anne E. Dorrance has been named to the top leadership position at The Ohio State University Wooster campus.
On Jan. 1, 2020, she will begin a four-year term as associate dean and director for the Wooster campus and associate director for the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station in Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
When announcing Dorrance’s new position, Cathann A. Kress, vice president for agricultural administration of Ohio State and dean of CFAES, said “Dr. Dorrance’s appointment to this position is essential to the continuing success of our Wooster campus and the college.”
In her new role, she will also serve on the Vice President and Dean’s Administrative Cabinet, providing leadership and oversight for the Wooster campus. The campus is home to both the two-year Ohio State ATI and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC).
Dorrance has been a faculty member in CFAES’ Department of Plant Pathology and based in Wooster since fall 1997.… Continue reading
Melinda Lee of Tipp City has been named Ohio Farm Bureau Federation organization director for Delaware, Franklin, Madison, and Union counties. Lee has spent the last three years serving in the same position for Champaign, Clark, Darke and Miami counties.
In her new territory, Lee will continue her work as a liaison between the county Farm Bureaus and Ohio Farm Bureau. She will assist the county groups as they develop and implement programs to strengthen their organizations and enhance their ability to serve members and affect positive change in their communities.
Lee is a 2013 graduate of Ohio State University where she majored in animal sciences and agribusiness. She received her American FFA degree in 2010. Previously she worked at Aldermere Farm in Maine helping plan and facilitate agricultural education programs and at the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center. She is a graduate of Ohio Farm Bureau’s AgriPOWER Institute Class IX and currently serves as the chairperson for the Miami County Agricultural Leadership Fund.… Continue reading
The Ohio No-Till Council held their annual conference last week. Ohio Ag Net was there to video all of the information to bring it to you. You can watch each segment below on this page. Our own Dusty Sonnenberg has the highlight story here.
Healthy Soils, Healthy Waters, Healthy Life | Mark Anson
Soil Health, No-Till, and Cover Crops Panel
Ohio Department of Agriculture | Director Dorothy Pelanda
Three finalists have been named in Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s 2020 Discussion Meet. They are David Glass of Chillicothe, Micah Mensing of Millersburg and Kalyn Swihart of Lima.
The annual contest tests participants’ subject knowledge, problem solving abilities and personal and small group communications skills. These young agricultural professionals will compete in the finals as part of the Young Agricultural Professionals Winter Leadership Experience at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus Jan. 31. The finalists were named after a preliminary competition at Ohio Farm Bureau’s 101st Annual Meeting in Columbus where they discussed topics impacting the agriculture industry.
“The Discussion Meet contest is a meaningful opportunity for young ag professionals to strengthen their skills in working together to solve issues facing agriculture today. I look forward to watching these finalists compete at the finals next year,” said OFBF Leadership Development Program Specialist Kelsey Turner.
The winner receives a $1,000 cash award from Nationwide Insurance, an expense-paid trip to the 2020 OFBF Annual Meeting in Columbus and an expense-paid trip to the AFBF Annual Convention in January 2021 in San Diego.… Continue reading
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue appointed 19 new and 24 returning directors to serve on the United Soybean Board (USB), including Ohioan Charles “Bill” Bayliss from West Mansfield.
These farmer-leaders will be officially sworn in for service at the annual USB meeting on Dec. 11, and serve three-year terms.
“This year we are welcoming one of the largest classes of new directors USB has ever seen,” said USB Chair and Kentucky farmer Keith Tapp. “We have a strong group of new leaders who will join our ongoing work to innovate beyond the bushel. Each adds new perspective to the board and will help USB’s efforts to create new markets and opportunities for soybean farmers.”
Bayliss will join those already serving terms on the board to make a total of 78 directors. USB administers soybean checkoff funds to research, marketing and promotional efforts that maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers.… Continue reading
The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation has named the newest members of its Young Agricultural Professionals Committee: Megan and Tyrone Brannon of Stone Creek, Jess and Adam Campbell of Waynesville, Hannah Jarvis of Homeworth and Kameron Rinehart of Jeffersonville. The committee develops and directs programming, activities and contests for Ohio Farm Bureau’s program for young adults who are interested in improving the business of agriculture, learning new ideas and developing leadership skills.
The Brannons of Tuscarawas County have egg-laying hens, they pasture poultry, raise produce and herbs and specialize in microgreens. Off the farm, Tyrone works as a commercial applicator, soil sampler and farm diesel mechanic. Megan teaches undergraduate educational technology at Kent State University.
The Campbells own and operate Carroll Creek Farms, a 90-acre farm situated in northern Warren County where they produce and direct market grass fed beef and lamb, pastured poultry and heritage breed pork. Jess is an associate vice president, swine specialist with Farm Credit Mid-America.… Continue reading
The National Pork Board has named Bryan Humphreys the vice president of producer, state and industry relations. He will start in his new role on Dec. 16.
Humphreys grew up working on the family farm in Iowa raising hogs, corn and soybeans. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University, he organized grassroots efforts and managed multiple political campaigns around the country. In 2009, he joined the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) as the director of grassroots, where he encouraged pork producers to tell their stories and interact with influencers and key decision makers. As part of this role, Humphreys also spent time in more urban areas helping educate elected officials and other influential decision makers on modern pork production practices.
In 2014, Humphreys became the executive vice president of the Ohio Pork Council, where he led efforts around some most pressing social and environmental issues of the day.
“Bryan is highly respected by pork producers in Ohio and his colleagues around the country,” said Bill Even, chief executive officer of the National Pork Board. … Continue reading
International Texas Longhorn Association, (ITLA) President Larry P. Smith presented the Pioneer Breeder Award to Joel Dickinson of Barnesville, Ohio. Dickinson has raised registered Texas longhorns for 40 years, starting at age 9. The annual Pioneer Breeder Award is presented to honor an ITLA member that has, over a period of 15 years or more, demonstrated a strong commitment to the ITLA and exceptional initiative in establishing a Texas Longhorn of superior value genetically, with commercial merit.
ITLA is headquartered at Glen Rose, Texas, registers pure Texas Longhorn cattle, holds educational seminars to strengthen efforts by producers, trains and approves show judges, sponsors shows all over the nation, and works to promote the breed world wide.
Dickinson manages Dickinson Cattle Co. in Belmont County running up to 1,300 cattle on just under 5,000 acres. He manages scientific efforts to improve the breed with progressive matings by AI, embryo transfer and careful banding of select genetics.… Continue reading
Laura Deeter, professor of horticulture technologies at Ohio State ATI in Wooster, was one of three university educators named a 2019 Educator of the Year in a national program sponsored by the software company Instructure. Deeter turned her plant identification course into a game about plants and zombies and gave students a unique and exciting learning experience. She likes to test out new ways of teaching and incorporates nontraditional classroom activities, such as gamification, that will help her students in their future careers. By gamifying her course, student engagement with the course skyrocketed. Ohio State ATI is the two-year degree-granting unit of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).… Continue reading
Bill Swank, age 88, passed September 21, 2019 in Westerville, Ohio, his home for 62 years.
He was born in western Ohio, Darke County to Ira and Pauline Swank. He is preceded in death by two brothers Wayne and Don, and his son Michael.
He is a U.S. Airforce veteran. Bill Received his bachelor of Science, Masters and Doctorate from The Ohio State University and remained a strong supporter of the university. He was recognized by the university in many areas, including the establishment of an endowed chair in Rural\Urban Policy. He was active nationally in the agricultural field and 28 of his 40 years with the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation were as Executive Vice President. He also served on numerous boards nationally and internationally. He received many awards and commendations for his work, too many to list specifically. In addition, he did extensive travel with the AID program to foreign and third world countries promoting new approaches to agriculture.… Continue reading
The Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association (OCWGA) welcomes Lucas P. Crumley as director of public policy and nutrient management. In this role Crumley will oversee legislative activities and will manage nutrient management issues for the organization.
“Advocating for good policy is a fundamental reason our organization exists,” said Tadd Nicholson, the executive director of OCWGA. “Luke brings with him a strong foundation and extensive government experience, a great network and a diverse set of experiences that will benefit Ohio Corn & Wheat. With nutrient management issues becoming more complex, we look forward to having Luke spearhead oversight of these issues.”
Prior to joining OCW, Crumley worked for two members of congress, advocating for local community initiatives, building coalition groups, and overseeing constituent services. He has been active in flood prevention and water management projects across central Ohio. From 2007 to 2011, Crumley served as a commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps, deploying twice with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.… Continue reading
Fledderjohann, from Botkins, will be remembered by many for his incredible success showing market goats at the Ohio State Fair and nationally. He had the Grand Champion Market Goat in 2011, the first year a market goat was sold in the Sale of Champions. Both before and after that, he was a staple at the Ohio State Fair and other goat shows as he worked with many exhibitors to help them succeed. Here is a clip with Fledderjohann from the 2011 Ohio State Fair Sale of Champions.
Joel Penhorwood has accepted a job with Select Sires and will no longer be contributing his considerable talents with the OCJ/OAN team. We are sad to see Joel move on but wish him well as he takes on a new chapter in his career. Thanks Joel for your hard work and best of luck in your future endeavors. Here are some of our favorite posts from Joel:
The Ohio Ag Net is excited to announce the addition of Dave Russell to the farm broadcasting team. Dave is a veteran farm broadcaster who has served agriculture in Indiana and Ohio for decades.
“Dave brings a wealth of broadcast and agricultural knowledge to the team,” said Bart Johnson, owner of Ohio Ag Net. “I have known Dave for a long time and have always been impressed with his professionalism and his passion for agriculture. I am looking forward to his contributions to the team.”
Russell began at WRFD in Columbus. He has since been a voice for Hoosier agriculture at WOWO in Ft. Wayne, Ind. and the Indiana voice for Tribune Radio Networks. In addition to his career in farm broadcasting, Russell worked in state government, serving as Agricultural Liaison for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and as Director Information/Public Relations for Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc. Russell is a familiar emcee at events and for his work announcing cattle shows including the Ohio Beef Expo, Ohio State Fair and several BEST shows.… Continue reading
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