COLUMBUS — Matt and Liz Funderburgh of North Lewisburg were recently elected chair couple of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) Young Agricultural Professional Advisory Team. Kyle and Ashton Walls of Mount Vernon were elected co-chair couple. Terri Specht of Johnstown was elected secretary.
The team 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.
Other team members are Greg and Theresa Corcoran of Chillicothe, Eric and Shelly Prysi of New Philadelphia, Doug Toops of South Vienna, Karl Wedemeyer of La Rue and Jennifer Wilson of Jenera.
Liz and Matt Funderburgh are members of Union County Farm Bureau, where Liz serves as board treasurer and organization action team leader. They farm with Matt’s father where they have 800 acres of corn and soybeans and operate a 1,200 head swine nursery. They have three children, and also sell seed for Pioneer. Off the farm, Liz is a farm marketer for Cargill. She also serves as co-president of the Ohio Youth Swine Committee, president of Union County Ag Association and is a member of the Ohio Ag Council. Matt earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State in animal science with a minor in crop science in 2008, and Liz earned a bachelor’s degree from Wilmington College in ag business in 2006.
Ashton and Kyle Walls are Knox County Farm Bureau members where Ashton has served as treasurer, and currently serves as secretary, and communication action team leader and Kyle has served as membership chair. They have a small, start-up cattle operation and off the farm Kyle works as a sales district manager for Monsanto; Ashton is a regional team lead at Siemens Energy Inc. Kyle serves on the Knox County Cattlemen’s Association board and Ashton serves on the Knox County Extension Advisory Committee.
Terri Specht is a Tuscarawas County Farm Bureau member, where she has served on the board as secretary. She got her start focusing on swine medicine with Four Star Veterinary Service and now has assumed the role of staff veterinarian for Heimerl Farms, LTD. When available, she also helps on her family’s farm where they have 2,400 hogs, cattle, sheep and 100 acres each of corn and hay.
The OFBF Young Ag Professionals program is open to individuals and married couples between the ages of 18-35. To learn more, visit ofbf.org and search Young Ag Professionals.
