AgOne – Cohort 5 – Session 1 Blog

Recently, we marked the inspiring kickoff of the 5th Cohort of the AgOne Leadership Program—a pivotal initiative designed to transform leadership across Ohio’s agriculture sector through powerful training and personal coaching.

Program Purpose and Sponsorship

AgOne brings together leaders to grow their individual capacity for industry influence and boardsmanship. I’m honored to participate through the sponsorship of Bayer CropScience, which empowers me to elevate my impact as a Sales Leader, DSO Squad Facilitator, and advocate for Ohio farmers.

Cohort Camaraderie & Shared Momentum

I’m in great company—there are four other passionate Ohio agriculture leaders in this cohort, and from the very first session, we connected deeply through shared experiences, aspirations, and values. That sense of camaraderie echoes the collaborative spirit fostered in AgOne and sets the tone for a mutual journey of growth.

Leveling Up Leadership with Dr. Tracy Kitchel

Our first session with Dr. Tracy Kitchel of The Ohio State University challenged us to think about what it truly means to level up our leadership. Leadership isn’t just about what we can do—it’s about discerning what we should do. That distinction pushes us to lead with clarity and purpose rather than simply capability.

He also asked us to reflect on a powerful question: “What do you want your tombstone to say?” That perspective reframes leadership beyond the day-to-day into a legacy mindset—reminding us that the impact we make today will echo in the lives of others long after we’re gone. At its core, this reflection comes down to values—what do we want to be remembered by, and where do we choose to put our energy each day? For each of us in the cohort, defining leadership on these terms brought new depth to how we think about influence, service, and the legacy we hope to leave.

Strengthening Public Speaking with Jennifer Coleman

We also had the privilege of working with Jennifer Coleman of The Directions Group, who brought tremendous energy and insight into the art of communication. Public speaking is a critical skill for leaders—yet it’s often under-taught in America. Jennifer challenged us to move beyond the traditional frameworks and think about presentations in fresh, powerful ways.

She introduced us to tools like the “Magic Number 3” and guided us through enhanced presentation styles—problem & solution, compare & contrast, cause & effect, repetition, and many more. Each style opened up new ways to connect with audiences and drive a message home.

And yes, she even put me on the spot—challenging me to become a Squishmallow salesman and pitch on the fly! It was equal parts fun and uncomfortable, but exactly the type of stretch moment that sharpens leadership presence.

One of the most valuable parts of her session was the peer review of our 3-minute speeches. With her feedback, we quickly realized that no matter our starting point, we all had room to grow—and we did grow. Those lessons weren’t just theory—they’ll be critical as we develop and deliver our final projects later in the program.

Mission, Vision, and Values with Director Jenny Cox

We also began important foundational work with Director Jenny Cox, who led us through the early stages of crafting our mission, vision, and values as a cohort. These guiding statements will serve as the compass for our work together and the impact we hope to have individually and collectively in Ohio agriculture.

The process was both reflective and energizing—forcing us to think about what we truly stand for as leaders and how those principles should shape the way we lead. While we made significant progress, we’ll finalize these at our next meeting. It’s clear that the mission, vision, and values we define will not only guide this program but also echo in the ways we serve our teams, our farms, and our communities for years to come.

Carrying a Growth Mindset with Dr. Emily Buck

Another highlight came from Dr. Emily Buck, Co-Director of the OSU Leadership Center, who reminded us of the importance of carrying a growth mindset throughout this journey. Her message was simple but profound: leadership development is not about arriving—it’s about continually learning, adapting, and stretching yourself in new ways. That mindset will be crucial as we lean into challenges, support one another, and maximize what this program has to offer.

Gratitude for Partners in Leadership Development

Finally, none of this would be possible without the strong partnerships behind AgOne. A special thank you to The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership, the OSU Leadership Center, and the Max M. Fisher College of Business. Their investment in this program equips us to influence and impact not only our own careers, but also the future of Ohio agriculture and the communities we serve.

Looking Ahead: Impact, Influence, Service

As I embark on this AgOne journey, I’m grounding myself in these key commitments:

• Grow in leadership presence and impact, building on the foundation this program provides.
• Serve Ohio agriculture more deeply, using insights from AgOne to strengthen connections across the state.
• Support fellow cohort members, fostering collaboration and long-term peer leadership.
• Own powerful communication, delivering clarity and inspiration in every conversation—whether in the field, in team forums, or in public settings.