Fairfield, Hocking, Pickaway Ross counties, Ohio

Happy holidays. I’m Mike Videkovich, District 15 trustee, and Jenny Cox is your regional trustee.

Ohio Farm Bureau has prepared this summary of some of the topics covered during the December board meeting and Ohio Farm Bureau annual meeting. It is our privilege to represent you on the board. If you have any questions or comments, please send them to Jenny or to me.

The annual meeting and member celebration took place Dec. 7-11 and for the first time, it was conducted remotely. A series of videos was produced to honor volunteers, county Farm Bureaus and those who earned recognition for their career accomplishments on behalf of the industry. Here is a recap of those events as well as a recap of the policy discussion.

Leader remarks
The annual meeting is a chance to hear from President Frank Burkett and Executive Vice President Adam Sharp. Both shared 2020 highlights as well as organizational challenges and opportunities. Their speeches, in addition to video highlights from the annual meeting, can be viewed on YouTube. Nationwide Chief Executive Officer Kirt Walker also appeared in a special video message.

Board guests and honorees
Nationwide guests at the board meeting included board member Brent Porteus and Devin Fuhrman, vice president, Sponsor Relations.

This year’s annual meeting honorees were former Ohio Farm Bureau board member and retired Nationwide Board Chairman Tim Corcoran and former Vice President Public Policy Yvonne Lesicko who both received the Distinguished Service Award. Becky Cropper was presented the Cooperative/Agriculture Educator Award.

Board elections
The board welcomed new board member Matt Aultman who will serve as District 14 trustee representing Champaign, Clark, Darke and Miami counties.

Here is a summary of all board and officer elections.

American Farm Bureau convention opportunity
The 2021 American Farm Bureau Virtual Convention will be held Jan. 10-13, 2021. Registration fees have been waived for all attendees. Featured speakers include Mike Rowe, host of Dirty Jobs; former Navy SEALs commander Rorke Denver and Land O’Lakes CEO Beth Ford. Other top-notch speakers will deliver updates on the latest national ag issues and presentation topics including agricultural advocacy, farm employee safety and connecting with consumers in a post-COVID world, as well as the latest economic outlook and sustainability efforts. Presentations will be a mix of live and on-demand content.

Agenda

Register
Note: Anyone who wants to observe the policy session must register through Amanda Bush at Ohio Farm Bureau by Dec. 18. 

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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