For many young farmers, operating the family farm isn’t their only job. They may be working off the farm, raising a family and participating in their community organizations. Some like Andy Wentling, a third generation farmer from Stark County, also find time in their busy schedules to take on leadership roles in agriculture.

Working by day as a Service Manager for the local Bobcat dealership, Andy is also part owner of Wentling Farms, LLC. Andy farms soybeans, corn, wheat and hay on 230 acres and works alongside his dad and brother where they farm a total of 1200 acres. Andy rented his first farm of 30 acres when he was 21 years old, then bought his first farm of 51 acres when he was just 23 years old. He currently rents the rest of his acreage that he has been able to obtain since he started farming.

Andy was recently chosen as the third quarter Beck’s Young Farm Leader, a program that recognizes young Ohio farmers who actively contribute to the community, as well as the entire agriculture community.

“Farmers and agriculture have a great story to tell on many fronts,” said Bruce Kettler, Director of Public Relations at Beck’s Hybrids. “Beck’s wants to support leadership development efforts that will allow young farmers like Andy to thrive and build their communities.”

Andy remains involved in the community by helping the local 4-H club set up for the Stark County Fair each year. He has been very involved with the Stark County Farm Bureau, where he served on several committees and also served as president and vice president. At the state level, Andy and his wife, Tera, have been on the Young Agriculture Professionals Committee for the past two years, where they served as chairs in 2013.

“The main place that I held a leadership role was in Farm Bureau organizations,” said Andy. “I started out 6 years ago by joining the Stark County Farm Bureau Board where I became public policy chairman. As the public policy chair, I was able to attend Ag Day at the Capitol where we met with elected officials and discussed current agriculture issues.”

As a graduate of The Ohio State University’s Agriculture Technical Institute (OSU ATI), Andy feels it’s important to give back to the school that provided him a foundation for his career success. As a result, Andy devotes time talking to current students about job opportunities available in the field of agriculture.

“I enjoy going to OSU ATI to talk to the students about what companies like Bobcat are looking for in terms of skills and qualifications to hire recent graduates,” said Andy. “In addition, I enjoy discussing a variety of careers in the agriculture industry especially in the animal science, food science and several other related fields that all fit together and make agriculture successful.”

Andy enjoys being a Service Manager, but hopes to eventually farm full-time.

“I would like to see the farm continue so I am not the 3^rd and final generation,” said Andy. “My heart will always be in agriculture.”

Like many industries, Andy believes there are both threats and opportunities.

“Herbicide-resistant weeds pose a threat to soybean yields throughout Ohio and the United States,” said Andy. “I make a conscious effort to implement production practices that manage herbicide resistant weeds such as no-till farming and using clover as a cover crop.”

Recent research shows that crop rotation, cover crops and other site-specific practices can provide positive, consistent returns.

One opportunity Andy has an interest in and sees as positive change happening is in the production of biodiesel and ethanol.

“There is a big push for renewable resources,” said Andy. “With the increase of farm size and yield, there is great potential for biodiesel and ethanol to continue to increase.”

Whether it’s working past midnight during planting and harvest, spending time with his wife and daughters, working at Bobcat or telling his story; agriculture is a huge part of Andy’s life.

“I congratulate Andy on being chosen as a Beck’s Young Farm Leader,” said Jerry Bambauer, Ohio Soybean Association (OSA) Chairman and soybean farmer from Auglaize County. “OSA has made it a priority to advocate on behalf of Ohio soybean farmers and recruit farmers like Andy to be the face of the industry because of the commitment he showcases to the soybean industry in Ohio. OSA is proud to recognize young Ohio farmers and encourages other farmers to apply or nominate someone for the Beck’s Young Farm Leader program.”