Farmer, a pitcher/shortstop from Minford, Ohio, posted seven wins as a senior at Minford High School with a 2.07 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 63 innings of work with just 23 walks. He also batted .407 with six doubles, four triples, three home runs, 32 runs scored, 41 RBI, and 16 stolen bases in 25 games. For his efforts, Farmer was a three-time Southern Ohio Conference selection and a three-time South-East District honoree. He also earned his team’s Best Pitcher Award three times.

"Jared is an important piece to our recruiting class,” said MVNU head coach Keith Veale, who has posted a 641-310 record in 19 seasons at the helm of the Cougars. "He was a right-handed pitcher and shortstop for a very solid Minford High School program. Playing shortstop shows his athletic ability. We will take that athletic ability to the mound at the college level. As a freshman, Jared brings good velocity and an excellent breaking pitch to the college game. His strikeouts-to-innings pitched ratio indicates that he has the potential to become a dominant pitcher. We think he can compete for innings early in his career. We especially like his work ethic and drive to excel.”

In addition to playing baseball at Minford and for Portsmouth Legion Post 23, Farmer was active in his local church youth group and in the Big Brother program. He is a member of National Honor Society and received the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award.

"There are several reasons why I chose MVNU,” said Farmer of his college choice. "I am attending MVNU for the great Christian atmosphere that I hope will bring me closer to Christ. I also hope to further my education and increase my abilities in baseball. With all of the contributions from MVNU, I hope to become a better person spiritually, academically, and athletically.”

MVNU is an NAIA school that competes in the American Mideast Conference. The Cougars posted a 39-21 overall record in 2008 and captured the program’s sixth National Christian College Athletic Association national title. The team also advanced to the NAIA Region IX Tournament championship game for the ninth straight year. Over the years, MVNU has had 13 players drafted by Major League teams including Tim Belcher, who was the top pick overall in the 1983 draft. Seven other former players have signed free agent contracts to play professional baseball.