The Marion County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting was held at All Occasions in Waldo Aug. 22, in conjunction with the Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). There were 92 people in attendance including special guests. Matt Reese from Ohio’s Country Journal and AgNet, spoke about the severe impact of the Ohio spring weather on farms and the planting season, and what could be the “silver lining” in all of the challenges faced this year.

The evening was a celebration of the Farm Bureau Centennial. Business during the meeting included trustee and delegates elections and voting on public policies which are the backbone of the organization. Policies provide the framework through which Farm Bureau advocates for family, community and food security. They help guide efforts to address real community issues—such as regulations, funding public education and services, environmental protection, animal care, health care, landowner’s rights and community planning. These policies are used to develop programs, projects and advocacy at the state and federal level, but just as importantly are used to help guide the yearly plan of work for Marion County Farm Bureau volunteers.

Marion County SWCD provided an update on the challenges ahead for agriculture and urged people to contact the office with issues, potential projects and to use them as a resource to improve their farms. Owen Case and Kris Guthrie were elected to the SWCD’s board. Steve McKinniss was recognized as the 2019 SWCD’s Cooperator of the Year.

Cooperator of the Year – Steve McKinnis

Marion County Farm Bureau also highlighted the accomplishments of programs held during the past year and thanked the volunteers who made local activities successful. This year, activities focused on events that provided membership engagement and advocacy as well as membership strength. Each board trustee was recognized for his or her effort, hard work and accomplishments over the past year. Jonathan Zucker, Megan Van Meter, Tim Wood, Kory Seckel, John Hafer, Daniel Lust, Tim Barnes, William Trihaft, Darryl Ralph, and Jane Mahler were elected to the board. 2020 OFBF Annual Meeting delegates are Darryl Ralph, Bryan Santschi and Jonathan Zucker. They will attend with President John Hafer.

Marion County Farm Bureau 2019 Trustees

Marion County Farm Bureau is now making plans for 2020. Farm Bureau seeks to impact and improve the community. We strive to represent our local farmers, maintain strong relationships with elected officials, and reach out to consumers with facts about food production. For more information about Farm Bureau, or better still to help with some of our projects, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact one of the county trustees or call or email the county office. 419.747.7488 or [email protected].

Follow us on Facebook or visit our webpage, marion.ofbf.org, to see what
we’re doing.

Labor has always been an issue, mainly because we are a seasonal operation. So that's a challenge finding somebody who only wants to work three months out of a year, sometimes up to six months.
Mandy Way's avatar
Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
I appreciate the benefit of having a strong voice in my corner. The extras that are included in membership are wonderful, but I'm a member because of the positive impact to my local and state agricultural communities.
Ernie Welch's avatar
Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities
I see the value and need to be engaged in the community I live in, to be a part of the decision-making process and to volunteer with organizations that help make our community better.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development
Farm Bureau involvement has taught me how to grow my professional and leadership experience outside of the workforce and how to do that in a community-centric way.
Jaclyn De Candio's avatar
Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program
With not growing up on a farm, I’d say I was a late bloomer to agriculture. I feel so fortunate that I found the agriculture industry. There are so many opportunities for growth.
Jenna Gregorich's avatar
Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
Jared Hughes's avatar
Jared Hughes

Groovy Plants Ranch

Groovy Plants Ranch
If it wasn't for Farm Bureau, I personally, along with many others, would not have had the opportunity to meet with our representatives face to face in Washington.
Austin Heil's avatar
Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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