Pitzer Perry selected for Ohio Farm Bureau’s AgriPOWER elite training program

Rudi Pitzer Perry of New Vienna is one of 14 farmers and agribusiness professionals selected to participate in Ohio Farm Bureau’s 2024-2025 AgriPOWER Institute.

AgriPOWER is designed for farmers and agribusiness professionals. The program focuses on issues that are relevant to the farm and food industry such as consumer relations, regulations, energy and trade policies. In AgriPOWER, individuals develop the skills necessary to become effective leaders and advocates for agriculture by learning from experts in these fields.

Pitzer Perry’s ties to agriculture are lifelong, from her family running a farm and an ag-centered trucking and lime spreading company, to now working for Farm Credit Mid-America for the last 13 years. She currently serves as the regional vice president agricultural lending in southern Ohio. In her current role, she leads a team of 10 finance officers that work directly with farmer-owners to meet their financial needs.

Participants this year also include Amanda Barndt of Bowling Green, Grace Baxter of Wooster, Kelsey Brown of Leroy, Johnathon Cottingim of Delaware, Hannah DiVencenzo of Grafton, Zachary Jones of Huron, Olivia Lang of Wooster, Taylor Mensing of Westerville, Lucy Pullins Green of Bowling Green, William Ray of Zanesville, Emily Stevens of Tiffin, Alec Truckor of Swanton and Kelly Warner of Harrod.

“These individuals have already made their mark on Ohio agriculture, and I am excited that they want to take their leadership skills to the next level,” said Marlene Eick, director of AgriPOWER. “This program will not only give participants a deeper understanding of the farm and food sector here in Ohio and across the country, it will also give them the tools they need to become even stronger advocates for an industry they are already passionate about.”

One of the sessions will take place in Washington, D.C. to give participants a better understanding of national and global issues, and an out-of-state session in California will help them learn about the differences and similarities in agriculture outside of Ohio.

Partnering with Ohio Farm Bureau on AgriPOWER Class XV are Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation, Ohio Soybean Council, Certified Angus Beef, The Chef’s Garden, Farm Credit Mid-America, Healthy Harvest Organics, Hummel Group Insurance, Lake County Farm Bureau, Lorain County Farm Bureau, Ohio Forestry Association, Anthony Savage, StoneX Group Inc., Truckor Family Farm, Wood County Farm Bureau and Wright & Moore.

For additional information about AgriPOWER, visit ofb.ag/AgriPOWER.

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