RYANNA L. TIETJE

 Ryanna l. tietje

Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics
Agribusiness and Applied Economics 
Deshler, OH

The COVID-19 pandemic forced Ryanna’s first year of college online, but she became involved as a student note taker for the Office of Student Life Disability Services. Since then, she has taken advantage of opportunities in and out of the classroom, holding leadership positions, mentoring other students, serving her department and the college, participating in national agriculture and leadership conferences, completing and presenting a research project, and maintaining a 3.9 GPA. All this, so she can take her knowledge and experience back to Deshler to make a difference on her family’s farm and in her community.

Serving as president of the Agribusiness Club for two years helped Ryanna understand the importance of communication and teamwork. She and other club leaders developed new programs such as a donor appreciation evening to strengthen the club’s relationships with agribusiness companies. They raised money for members to travel to Texas in 2023 and Florida in 2024, where they learned about diverse areas of agriculture, while building friendships with other club members. Last fall, they held a raffle and donated nearly $500 to Ohio AgrAbility. As a peer mentor for the Honors Program, Ryanna guided 17 incoming first-year students. She was proud to learn that a student she supported has now become a peer mentor because of her help. Ryanna completed a research project with her mentor, Dr. Margaret Jodlowski, studying farm succession planning. She was selected as one of only six individuals as a Cultivator for the Farm Foundation Round-Table meeting in January 2024.

She strengthened her leadership and customer service skills through four internships in the agricultural financing industry: AgCredit in Findlay, Ohio; StoneX in Bowling Green, Ohio; Antonlino & Associates in Columbus, Ohio; and CGB AgriFinancial in Louisville, Kentucky. On campus, Ryanna worked as a student research assistant in the Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department and worked with the Farm Financial Management and Policy Institute in OSU Extension. Her involvement and research helped propel her to the AgGateway Conference, Women in Agribusiness Summit, Mid America Crop Life Association Annual Meeting, AFA Leaders Conference, Charles Schwab IMPACT Conference, and other Ohio Farm Bureau Young Ag Professional events. She served as the undergraduate representative on the AEDE Chair Search Committee and the Farm Financial Management and Policy Institute Advisory Council. Her nominator noted that Ryanna also helps others, serving the Mid-Ohio Collective food bank through Alpha Zeta Partners, and collecting for Toys for Tots through Collegiate Farm Bureau.

Ryanna is eager to return to her family’s farm in Northwest Ohio where she will join her two brothers and help her family transition the operation to the next generation. She also plans a career in grain risk management, agricultural lending, or farm business management.

Service, involvement, and accolades: CFAES Learning Community | Collegiate Farm Bureau, vice president | Alpha Zeta Partners, vice president | Agricultural Systems Management Club, reporter | Farm Foundation Cultivators | American FFA Degree | Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience | Farm Credit Mid-America Scholars Program | Women in Agribusiness Summit | Charles Schwab IMPACT Conference | Dean’s List