COLUMBUS — Micaela Wright of Arcanum was one of four finalists named in the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s 2017 Discussion Meet.
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 at the Young Agricultural Professionals’ Leadership Experience at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus Feb. 3 and 4.
The finalists were named after a preliminary competition at Ohio Farm Bureau’s Ohio Farm and Food Leadership Forum Nov. 30 in Columbus where they discussed topics impacting the agriculture industry.
Wright, a Darke County Farm Bureau member, is currently a graduate student at Ohio State University working toward a master’s degree in public administration. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Wilmington College in agriculture sustainability. She and her family, parents Mark and Melissa Wright and brothers, Andrew, Joshua and Nathan, raise Shetland sheep. She is also involved with Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Ag Professionals program.
“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 in February,” said OFBF Young Agricultural Professionals Coordinator Melinda Witten.
The winner receives a $1,000 cash award from Nationwide Insurance, a Polaris Most Versatile Generator, an expense paid trip to the 2017 OFBF Annual Meeting Dec. 6-8 in Columbus and an expense-paid trip to the AFBF Annual Convention in January 2018 in Nashville.
The other finalists are Shana Angel of Bolivar, Danielle Burch of Salem and Katie Lee of Magnolia.
Angel, a Tuscarawas County Farm Bureau member, serves on the county board and is a member of the Young Ag Professionals committee. She and her husband, Jonathan, operate a produce and egg CSA, have registered Hereford cattle and collect honey.
Burch, a Columbiana County Farm Bureau board member, is a county action team leader and served on the OFBF Young Ag Professionals State Committee from 2013-2016. Burch earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Mount Union and a master’s degree from St. Joseph’s University.
Lee, a Carroll County Farm Bureau member, works as a herdswoman, farm manager and calf-barn manager at Lee Dairy Farm with her husband, Joshua, and in-laws, Kevin and Connie Lee. She is involved with Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Ag Professionals program and is a member of Magnolia United Methodist Church. She and her husband have two children.
The Discussion Meet is hosted by OFBF’s Young Agricultural Professionals – singles and married couples ages 18 to 35 who are interested in improving the business of agriculture, learning new ideas and developing leadership skills. Learn more about the Young Ag Professionals program at experienceyap.com.
