Adrianna Meyer and Lauren Thornhill, both students in the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership, have been selected to serve as the newest cohort of delegates to the Council for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching (CARET) representing the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University.
In addition to Meyer and Thornhill, CFAES alumni Ben Klick and Allison Sanders 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.
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.”
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 the two ACEL students who are CFAES’ new CARET delegates
Adrianna Meyer | Extension Specialty
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.”
Lauren Thornhill | Teaching and Education Specialty
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.”
This story originally appeard on the CFAES News website. Learn more about the other CFAES CARET delegates with CFAES News.