CFAES announces four new delegates to national CARET program

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) is proud to welcome its newest cohort of delegates to the Council for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching (CARET).

Ben Klick, Adrianna Meyer, Allison Sanders and Lauren Thornhill will represent CFAES at national meetings and join CARET delegates from other land-grant universities to strengthen American agriculture by ensuring strong public investment in innovation, education and outreach to food producers and consumers.

Founded in 1982 as part of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), CARET is a national grassroots coalition of volunteers who advocate for agricultural research, education and Cooperative Extension at agricultural colleges at land-grant universities.

CFAES' four new delegates include two current undergraduate students (Meyer and Thornhill) and two alumni (Klick and Sanders). The delegates each have a specialty area of focus within the program that aligns with their interests and the three pillars of the land-grant mission: teaching, research and outreach.

"We welcome our four new CARET delegates, who reflect both the energy of our current students and the perspective of our emerging alumni leaders," said Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State vice president for agricultural administration and CFAES dean. "Together, they will help elevate our college's voice on a national stage and strengthen understanding of how our work in food, agriculture and the environment translates into real-world impact."

Dean Kress also expressed gratitude to Tom Demaline, Adele Flynn, Tony Logan and Jenna Reese, the four outgoing CARET delegates. They will join a network of past CARET delegates who engage regularly with CFAES and serve as trusted mentors for the new CARET delegates.

CARET delegates will undergo a full-day training in early February before heading to Washington, D.C., later in the month for the 2026 CARET/Board on Agriculture Assembly (BAA) Washington Conference. The event features food and agriculture thought leaders, advocacy workshops, keynote speakers from government and leading partner organizations, networking with BAA stakeholders, and opportunities to connect with champions on Capitol Hill.

Learn more about CFAES' new CARET delegates

Ben Klick | Industry and Workforce Development Specialty

Ben Klick

A fifth-generation farmer from Navarre, Klick is a 2016 Ohio State ATI graduate. He works alongside his father on their grain and cattle operation. They raise corn, soybeans and wheat across 1,800 acres, and annually, they rear approximately 600 head of cattle.

Klick has served on the Stark County Farm Bureau and Stark County Cattlemen's Association boards and was president of the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association in 2022. He currently serves on the National Corn Growers Association Member and Consumer Engagement Action Team.

"During my last eight years with Ohio Corn & Wheat, I've seen what true boots-on-the-ground advocacy does and how effective it can be," Klick said. "I'm excited to have the opportunity to walk those same halls and meet with those same legislators and advocate for this great land-grant university that helped start my farming career almost 15 years ago."

Adrianna Meyer | Extension Specialty

Adrianna Meyer

Meyer is a senior at Ohio State pursuing a community leadership bachelor's degree with a specialization in Extension education and an agribusiness minor. She previously earned an associate degree in agriculture from Ohio State ATI.

Meyer has experience with Ohio 4-H, Ohio State University Extension, municipal communications and national 4-H leadership initiatives. She is actively engaged with the Ohio 4-H Foundation Board, Agriculture Future of America, and CFAES outreach and admissions efforts. OSU Extension is CFAES' outreach arm, with Ohio 4-H being Extension's youth development arm.

"Being a CARET delegate will not only allow me to advocate for agricultural programs such as Extension, research and teaching, but it will give me the chance to make connections with governmental officials," Meyer said. "I look forward to being able to share my stories and experiences in agriculture and being a student at a land-grant university."

Allison Sanders | Research Specialty

Allison Sanders

A double Buckeye graduate, Sanders earned her master's degree from CFAES in ruminant nutrition in 2025 and her animal sciences bachelor's degree in 2023. Her master's work examined nutrient metabolism and rumen microbial efficiency using continuous culture systems.

In addition to her research, Sanders has served as a teaching assistant and guest lecturer in animal sciences courses, has supported Extension programming, and remains actively engaged in professional dairy and animal sciences organizations.

"I am honored to serve as a CARET delegate to amplify the important work and research being done across CFAES to advance food and agricultural systems locally and globally," Sanders said. "I am excited to connect with policymakers and share the vast impact Buckeyes have in our communities to strengthen the 'We sustain life' purpose while bringing awareness to the incredible research, teaching and Extension activities happening every day at Ohio State."

Lauren Thornhill | Teaching and Education Specialty

Lauren Thornhill

Currently finishing her agriscience education bachelor's degree from CFAES with minors in production agriculture and animal sciences, Thornhill is expected to graduate in May. She has experience with applied research in entomology and soybean production, honeybee and pollinator health management, and Extension fieldwork across multiple counties.

Thornhill has served as Ohio FFA State Vice President, delivering leadership education and agricultural advocacy at the state, national and international levels. Her interests focus on agricultural education, production agriculture, and the connection between research, Extension and classroom instruction.

"I am so excited for this incredible opportunity to help strengthen the connection between agricultural research, education and the communities that depend on them," Thornhill said. "Advocating for the people and stories that define our agricultural livelihoods has always been a passion of mine, and I'm honored to serve others in that role as a CARET delegate."