Welcome to the Highland County Chamber of Commerce

Over 300 people were in attendance for the Highland County Chamber of Commerce’s 13^th annual Ag is Everyone’s Business event on Friday, March 7 at the Patriot Center on Southern State Community College’s campus.

After an opportunity to network with attendees and sponsors, those in attendance were welcomed to the event by Jamie Wheeler, Executive Director of the Highland County Chamber of Commerce.

“Those of us in this room represent a variety of industries but we are all connected by agriculture,” said Wheeler. “Let’s take this opportunity to connect, learn and celebrate Highland County’s leading industry, Agriculture.”

Brian Baldridge, Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, addressed those in attendance and gave an update on current programs with the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

Kicking off the event was Hinda Mitchell, Founder and President of Inspire PR Group. Mitchell is an expert in the strategy and execution of communications programs for clients across the United States in the food production, restaurant, agriculture, financial, government, nonprofit, pet, and education sectors.

Mitchell discussed how all employers benefit from having – and communicating – a clear value proposition and a well-defined purpose. She also stated that it not only builds the company brand; it also is essential to attracting and keeping team members. She highlighted the importance of how you can inspire employees to be ambassadors for your business and build a strong internal communications campaign focusing on purpose and values.

Last on stage was keynote speaker Dr. Matt Roberts, Founder of The Kernmantle Group. Dr. Roberts is a nationally renowned expert and speaker on the grain and energy markets. He has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Tribune, Associated Press, and Forbes, and has been interviewed on CNBC.

Dr. Roberts explained the forces at work in the world and how they will move the numbers that matter to your audience. He also discussed that as consumer (and voter) tastes continue to change, and the world moves away from globalization, we are entering a new era for agriculture and the economy.

Throughout the day, youth from McClain FFA, Lynchburg-Clay FFA, Hillsboro Great Oaks FFA, Mowrystown FFA, Fairfield FFA and Highland County 4-H networked with attendees and assisted in serving lunch. The FFA students sold raffle tickets for a John Deere toy tractor donated by Ag Pro Hillsboro, selling over $1,000 in tickets. The Highland County Chamber of Commerce donated the proceeds from the raffle back to the five FFA chapters.

Platinum Sponsors of the event included: ICAP Crop Insurance/Farmers Mutual Hail; Innergex; and R.D. Holder Oil.

Level I Sponsors of the event included: Ag Pro; All Axxiss; Bear Mechanical, LLC; Charlie Mootz Tucking; First State Bank; Highland County Chamber of Commerce; Highland District Hospital; iHeart Media; Lewis Financial Group; Merchants National Bank; Nutrien Ag Solutions; RoofX; Seal-Tite LLC; Shafer Heating & Cooling, LLC; Southern Hills Community Bank; Southern State Community College; TechSolve; and Wilkin Heating & Air Conditioning.

Level II Sponsors of the event included: Adena Greenfield Medical Center; Bohrer Vet Services; Edward Jones; Elite Roofing & Construction, LLC; Farm Credit Mid-America; Fifth Third Bank; Great Oaks Career Campuses; Greenfield Research Inc.; Highland County Farm Bureau; Howard Ag; National Cooperative Bank; Ohio Asphaltic Limestone Corporation; OSU Extension Highland County Agriculture and Natural Resources; Peoples Bank; Petland Hillsboro; SOCS Fiber; South Central Power Co; Southern Ohio Propane; Southern Ohio RetroFoam, LLC; The Guest House Spa; Thompson Funeral Service, Inc.; United Producers Inc.; and Walker Real Estate Advisors.

Level III Sponsors of the event included: Atomic Credit Union; Becker + Beggs Business Brokers; Bickle Insurance Services; Community Markets; Crum Farm Supply; ERA Donald Fender Classic; Greystone Systems Inc.; Hamilton Insurance Agency; HealthSource of Ohio; Highland County Historical Society; Highland Feed & Supply; Highland Health Providers; Hillsboro Ohio Pickleball Association; Holtfield Station; Hospice of Hope Ohio Valley; Innergex Renewables Development USA LLC; Kayleesue Laber/ Walker Real Estate Advisors; Laurels of Hillsboro; Maplecrest Meats & More; Midwest Air; Ohio Asphaltic Limestone Corporation; Parry Landscapes and Lawn Care, LLC; Rick's Hometown TV & Appliance Center; Royth Everest; Stevens Do It Best Hardware; TechneTitle Agency Inc; The Barn at Hidden Ridge; The Lake View Loft Event Venue; Tissot’s Home Center; Trustwell Living at Bell Gardens Place; Turner & Son Funeral Homes and Crematory; Union Stock Yards; Visitors Bureau of Highland County; Wilmington Savings Bank; and Zoom Drain of Cincinnati & Southern Ohio.

Photos from the event, as well as other Chamber activities, are available on the Chamber’s social media accounts.