[COLUMBUS] The Ohio AgriBusiness Association (OABA) held its annual industry conference January 28-30 in Columbus, Ohio. The event aims to provide education and networking opportunities for agribusiness professionals. Two students from the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics (AEDE) at Ohio State volunteered to work the event.
“I chose to invest my time as a volunteer at the OABA Conference because of the opportunity to network with industry professionals and listen in on some informational speakers,” said Grace Mellott, an undergrad from Richland County, Ohio, who is majoring in Agribusiness and Applied Economics (AAE). “I made time for this opportunity because I knew I would learn something new and create meaningful new connections, while fostering previous relationships formed within the industry.”
The 2025 OABA Conference program was crafted to provide members with cutting-edge insights and actionable strategies to tackle emerging challenges and capitalize on the vast opportunities ahead.
Gavin Lochard, an AEDE student from Greenville, Ohio, shared, “As a fourth-year AAE student graduating in May, I have a strong interest in sales, farm machinery, and land use. I volunteered for this event because of its unique opportunity to connect with businesses I might not have otherwise met. I was eager to hear from industry leaders in their respective markets and gain insights to expand my knowledge.”
“I grew up on a small production farm, which is where my passion for the agricultural industry began,” added Mellott, who is interested in the crop science industry and looks forward to pursuing a career that serves farmers and rural communities. “I always enjoy helping with agricultural events.”
#
Contact: Diane Miller miller.12334@osu.edu