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2009 was the first full year under the new structure of a year-round campaign, resulting in an all-time high membership of 235,064. The new structure was intended to allow volunteers to work at selling memberships as they have time.
OFBF’s Leadership Buffet provides opportunities for members to participate in seminars that work at improving their leadership skills.
This past year 11 service groups throughout Ohio received $30,000 from the Foundation in grants. The Foundation also awarded a total of 10 academic scholarships worth $1,000 each in three scholarship programs.
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As a grassroots organization, OFBF sponsors several programs and events designed to promote leadership within the agricultural community.
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2009 was yet another award-winning year for the Ohio Farm Bureau and its county Farm Bureaus.
Ohio Farm Bureau members have a number of benefits available to them ranging from money savings to property protection. Here are a few of the benefits that members took advantage of (as of November) in 2009.
Change proved to be the password at Nationwide this year, even as the insurance and financial services company continues its 83-year sponsor relationship with Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.
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Communication and Consumer Education to Forge a Partnership between Farmers and Consumers
OFBF created a new education program this year. The first Grow & Know event was held in July at Bob Evans Farms in Gallia County and offered nonmembers and members the opportunity to learn about various aspects of farming, gardening and cooking.
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OFBF coordinated the “Land and Living: Agriculture Your Link to Life” exhibit at the Ohio State Fair where an estimated 350,000 fairgoers participated in an interactive agricultural display in a 32,000-square-foot building used exclusively for the display. More than 9,000 children planted a flower and took it home as part of the Green2Go exhibit, 5,256 children participated in a pedal tractor course called the OFBF Country Cruise, and 28 memberships were sold during the fair.