2026 Young Ag Professionals Winter Leadership Experience

Get ready to sow the seeds of possibility and reap big rewards by Harvesting New Horizons at the 2026 Ohio Farm Bureau Winter Leadership Experience. Join 400 Young Ag Professional members from across Ohio for a day and a half packed with fresh ideas, bold conversations, and hands-on learning that will push your farm, your career, and your leadership skills to new heights.Explore ag innovation, network with mentors and peers, and discover fresh opportunities in agribusiness. Whether you’re building your brand, expanding the family farm, or exploring new frontiers in agribusiness, this is your moment to grow.New faces. New insights. New horizons. Let’s harvest them together.

DATES

January 23-24, 2026

ATTENDEES

Open to all Ohio Farm Bureau members ages 18-35. A valid Farm Bureau membership is required to attend.

PRICING

Early-bird Conference Registration ($150/person) - ends December 17

Conference Registration ($175/person) - ends January 6

Child Registration for ages 4+ ($50/child) - access to all general conference programming including meals

HOTEL (not included with registration)

Hotel Rooms $169-$179/night based on occupancyBook your hotel room by calling 800-788-8008 and mention you are with "Ohio Farm Bureau" to receive our special group rate by January 5 while supplies last.

Conference T-Shirt: PRE-SALE ONLY (ends December 17)

Be sure to add a 2026 WLE t-shirt to your registration before checking out! These conference specific shirts are only available via pre-sale. Proceeds for apparel sales will benefit ExploreAg. Ohio Farm Bureau’s signature ag literacy and workforce development program, ExploreAg, offers FREE week, multi-day and daylong immersion programs for high school students. Learn more at Exploreag.org

*conference t-shirts are only available for pre-order sale through December 17

Registration formally closes at 11:30 pm on January 6, 2026.

Discounted hotel rate ends January 5.

For more specific conference details, visit:

Questions or Concerns? Contact [email protected]

Info: Be sure to check-in at registration upon arrival to receive your conference nametag and welcome bag. All pre-ordered conference t-shirts will also be distributed at registration.

Info: Come purchase your favorite YAP branded apparel. All proceeds will be donated to ExploreAg - Ohio Farm Bureau's premier ag literacy and workforce development program offering free day, multi-day, and week long camps for high school students to explore careers in agriculture through hands-on experiences.

Info: All YAP contest finalists competing in the Excellence in Ag or Outstanding Young Farmer Awards should check-in at the holding room upon arrival. More details will be communicated directly with contest finalists.

Info: Specific details and presentation times will be communicated directly to the Excellence in Ag finalists.

Info: Specific details and interview times will be communicated directly to the Outstanding Young Farmer finalists.

Info: Is this your first time attending the Winter Leadership Experience? Join members of the YAP State Committee to gain insights on how to maximize your experience of WLE and meet a few new friends to kickoff the conference!

Info: Join us for an unforgettable experience at the networking and Partnership Showcase, where connections are made, ideas are ignited, and opportunities are endless. This year, we're taking networking to a whole new level, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and professionals from diverse backgrounds to foster meaningful connections and drive collaboration. This 30-minute networking session is dedicated to helping young professionals meet others in the agricultural industry.

Info: Discussion Meet final four competitors are to report backstage of the General Session ballroom promptly at 5:30 pm.

Info: Enjoy dinner and networking during the opening general session. Here you will meet the YAP State Committee members who have planned the Winter Leadership Experience, watch the final round of the state Discussion Meet, and hear an energizing keynote from Coach Kiah.

Info: Discussion Meet Final Four round will start tentatively at 5:50 pm as part of the Opening General Session.

Info: Kiah Twisselman Burchett, better known as Coach Kiah, is a California cattle rancher turned international motivational speaker on a mission to empower others to love themselves deeper, care for themselves better, and find joy in this messy, beautiful journey of life. Named one of Cowgirl Magazine’s Top 30 Under 30, Coach Kiah uses her vulnerability and infectious energy to show others how to overcome hardships and discover their inner vibrancy to become the main characters in their own lives.

By sharing her personal story with wit, humor, agriculture and vulnerability intertwined, Kiah will offer a new perspective on the hardships we face to leave audiences feeling deeper connected to themselves and others while also feeling empowered to bloom through discomfort as they continue their journeys ahead.

Info: Get ready to unwind, socialize, and have a blast during the Hawaiian themed evening entertainment! This time is all about relaxation, laughter, and creating unforgettable memories with friends, old and new. Hawaiian and beach attire is strongly encouraged and costume prizes will be awarded.

Info: Be sure to check-in at registration upon arrival to receive your conference nametag and welcome bag. All pre-ordered conference t-shirts will also be distributed at registration.

Info: Come purchase your favorite YAP branded apparel. All proceeds will be donated to ExploreAg - Ohio Farm Bureau's premier ag literacy and workforce development program offering free day, multi-day, and week long camps for high school students to explore careers in agriculture through hands-on experiences.

Info: See breakout session descriptions in the "breakout sessions" tab.

Info: See breakout session descriptions in the "breakout sessions" tab.

Info: This general session will include 'The Exciting Future of Ag' keynote with Jim Schwartz, announcement of the new YAP State Committee leadership, naming of the 2026 Discussion Meet Winner, 2026 Excellence in Ag Award Winner, 2026 Outstanding Young Farmer Award winner, and more.

Info: Despite all of the challenges facing the agricultural industry, there are many reasons to be excited about the future of ag! Jim combines both the experience of his 40-year career as an agronomist, as well as the unique perspective he has of the future from his current role as the Director of Research, Agronomy, and PFR for Beck's Hybrids to share why he is excited about the future of ag and what that means for Young Ag Professionals.

Info: See breakout session descriptions in the "breakout sessions" tab.

Info: See breakout session descriptions in the "breakout sessions" tab.

Info: Join us for an enlightening session where you’ll gain valuable insights from Nationwide and other industry leaders about their career paths and leadership journeys. This session will explore how early career decisions shape trajectories, tips for navigating career transitions, and the importance of mentorship and networking. Additionally, attendees will learn about key leadership skills, hear stories of resilience and overcoming obstacles, and discover ways to encourage innovative thinking and build a personal brand. This session aims to inspire and guide the next generation of agricultural innovators by sharing the experiences and wisdom of established leaders.

Info: Hear how first-generation farmers, Gretel & Steve Adams of Sunny Meadows Flower Farm, built their farm from scratch to the business it is today. Starting with the idea of homesteading, and turning it into a business took decisive risks and utilizing financing to build infrastructure. From mentors they've crossed paths with, to tools like enterprise budgets and cash flow planning, figure out how to guide your decisions as you determine what business model may best suit your goals.

Info: From farmer's markets to online sales and everything in between, figure out what works best for your business style. Utilizing good photography, social media, email newsletters, and online sales to help grow your sales beyond only face-to-face sales. Build your brand, a website, and make yourself more accessible to the people!

Info: The list of succession challenges faced by young farmers can be extensive. Whether it is communication issues, a farm accident, obtaining credit, competition for land, balancing on/off farm work and family, or a host of other obstacles, the road to farm success is rocky. However, a path exists. A panel of young farmers, with the help of a moderator from Wright & Moore, are ready to share their tales of trials and triumphs in farm succession.

Info: Selecting healthcare options can be overwhelming and confusing. Join this session to hear from industry professionals. Learn secrets and tips when selecting the best, most affordable health coverage option for you and your family. Ohio Farm Bureau Healthcare Solutions has partnered with some of the best in the business to help members stay on the farm and grow the business without worrying about their health coverage. Learn more about Ohio Farm Bureau's newest resource that we are offering our members: Farm Bureau Health Plans.

Info: Navigating USDA, FSA, and grant programs can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. In this session, Hannah DiVencenzo of AgriBridge Consulting will break down the most useful funding opportunities available to farmers and walk through the steps to access them. Whether you're just getting started or ready to scale, you'll leave with tools to turn paperwork into progress.

Info: Food companies spend millions of dollars to develop marketing campaigns in order to persuade shoppers to grab their product and it comes at the expense of shoppers’ consciences. Learn how to identify bogus marketing ploys at the grocery store and how to rebut them with science-based agriculture facts.

Info: Social media can be a powerful tool in connecting grocery shoppers to the real stories of how food is produced. Audience members will learn how to identify their target audience, gain insight on creatively using social media platforms, hear advice on responding with passion and patience, and learn how to craft engaging messages and visuals while also enjoying some laughs along the way.

Info: Animal rights extremists are becoming more aggressive and strategic—using tactics like undercover videos, protests, legislative pressure, and corporate targeting to disrupt animal agriculture. In this session, Safeguarding the Future of Animal Ag: Mitigating Extremist Threats, attendees will gain insight into the evolving activist playbook and learn practical steps to protect farms, businesses, and the broader food chain. Walk away with actionable strategies for farm security, crisis communication, and building proactive relationships to defend against activist campaigns.

Info: Conflict is inevitable in farming, ranching, and life—but how we handle it makes all the difference. In this interactive workshop, we’ll explore different conflict styles, helping you recognize your own tendencies and how they impact communication. You’ll also learn the Situation-Behavior-Impact (SBI) feedback model, a simple yet powerful tool for giving clear, constructive feedback without escalating tension. Whether you’re working with family, employees, or business partners, these skills will help you navigate tough conversations with confidence and clarity. Walk away with practical strategies to foster healthier, more productive relationships in your agricultural operation.

Info: How does a child’s age and stage of development matchup to the farm chores they are assigned? What expectations do adults put on their children or young workers that exceed their mental and physical limitations? Learn best practices and legal parameters of youth employment on Ohio farms.

Info: The Lobbying 101 session will cover lobbying basics ranging from "How does lobbying actually work?" to "How to reach out to elected officials if you want to talk to them?".

This session will also walk through the many opportunities that Farm Bureau offers to meet with legislators, engage in the legislative process, and be a voice for Ohio agriculture.

Info: A successful succession plan doesn't happen by chance, it starts with smart financial planning today. Learn how young and beginning farmers can prepare for the next purchasing opportunity, build financial resilience and engage their professional team in the farm's future.

Info: Weather, sick livestock, markets and crazy family dynamics- what do they have in common? You have no control, and that's what makes it so hard. Learn how to manage stress when you can't really do anything to change the circumstances. This session will include easy-to-implement stress relief techniques, changes in perspective and a lot of laughs along the way.

Host or Publisher Ohio Farm Bureau