By Andi Anderson
Ohio Farm Bureau members traveled to Anaheim, California, to take part in the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention. The event brings farmers and agriculture leaders together to meet industry partners, attend workshops, and hear keynote speakers.
Ohio was strongly represented through county programs and three competitors in the Young Farmers and Ranchers national contests.
The podcast episode introduced the Ohio competitors and their experiences at the convention. One competitor, Will Menshaw from Pickaway County, is the 2025 outstanding young farmer award winner in Ohio and is now competing nationally for the Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award.
When asked about his background, he said, "Yeah. So I'm an eighth generation farmer." He described a diverse family operation that includes corn, soybeans, wheat, cattle, hay, and a feedlot, along with a direct to consumer media business and trucking work. He also shared a major milestone for his family farm, saying, "2026 is actually our 200th year of the farm being in the family farm where I grew up. It'll be 200 years in the same family. So we're pretty excited to celebrate that this summer."
Will explained that the Achievement Award focuses on producers whose main income comes from farming and whose financial and community involvement are reviewed.
He described the contest process, noting, "After they go through that initial process, when we get here, the top 10, we'll then go back for an interview and have a one on one interview with a American Farm Bureau judge." He shared what he values most at the convention by saying, "But one of the best things about Farm Bureau is the people."
Another Ohio representative, Derek Snider from Hardin County, is competing in the Excellence in Agriculture contest. He works in agricultural finance and supports farmers in his home area. He explained that the contest recognizes young professionals whose main income is not from production farming and includes an application and presentation.
The third Ohio competitor, Cameron Reinhardt from Fayette County, is competing in the national Discussion Meet. She has an agriculture background through youth programs and now works with rural communities as an assistant professor.
She described the Discussion Meet as a committee style conversation focused on major topics such as succession planning, environmental stewardship, and member benefits. She also emphasized building long term connections and continuing important conversations after the convention ends.
Photo Credit: ohio-farm-bureau
Categories: Ohio, Rural Lifestyle