COLUMBUS – Nineteen select leaders and advocates recently graduated from Ohio Farm Bureau’s AgriPOWER Institute Class VII. The intensive, yearlong leadership training program was launched in 2008 to help farmers and agricultural professionals gain influence over public policy issues that impact their businesses.

Class VII graduates are Jeff Adams of Urbana, Elaine Beekman, of Wellington, Libby Bender, of Prospect, Sara Campbell, of Ripley, Shelly Detwiler, of Marysville, Jessica Elson, of Ashland, Josh Henderson, of New Concord, Kayla Jones, of Newark, Chris Kick, of Wooster, Stephanie Leis, of Columbus, Jenny Meyer, of Bloomingburg, Steven Ruggles, of Findlay, Matt Schlegel, of Shreve, Victoria Shaw, of Medina, Angela Shoemaker ,of Louisville, Lara Staples, of Hamersville, Mandy Way, of Chillicothe, Heidi White, of Lebanon, and Jami Willard of Interlaken, New York.

Over the last year, AgriPOWER participants attended multi-day sessions where they learned about public policy issues facing local communities, the state of Ohio, the nation and the world. The sessions helped participants develop important skills necessary to becoming an effective leader and advocate including spokesperson and media training, etiquette training, social networking, communications and more.

“These graduates were already leaders in their communities and various organizations, and now AgriPOWER has given them the tools and network to continue to grow and to lead at a higher level,” said Melinda Witten, AgriPOWER coordinator.

In addition to Ohio Farm Bureau, AgriPOWER partners include Nationwide Insurance, Ohio Soybean Council, Southern Ohio Agricultural & Community Development Foundation, Farm Credit Mid-America, Ohio Pork Council, Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, Ohio Beef Council, Farm and Dairy, Cargill, Ag Credit, AgriPOWER alumni, and Farm Bureaus in Brown, Fayette, Licking and Union counties.

Applications for the next class, Class VIII, are due April 15. Visit ofbf.org/agripower for the application and more information.