Building for TomorrowPublished on 11/21/2001 Join OFBF for the 83rd Annual Meeting by Lynn Snyder The Hyatt Regency Hotel and Battelle Hall in Columbus are the sites of the 2001 Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, Nov. 28 to 30. More than 330 delegates will debate and approve the organization's official policies that will guide Farm Bureau next year. Join fellow members and friends for fellowship, educational seminars and young farmer activities. Speakers Dr. Lowell Catlett Catlett is a professor at New Mexico State University (NMSU) and a well-known futurist. He spoke at the OFBF 1993 annual meeting and is back by popular demand. In the Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business Department at NMSU, he teaches and conducts research on marketing, policy, futures markets, management and futuristic issues. He is co-author with James D. Libbin of three textbooks – Farm and Ranch Financial Management, Cash Flow Management and Investing in Futures and Options Markets. A consultant to private industry, national associations and organizations, the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Interior, Defense and Labor, he also works with many Fortune 500 companies doing futuristic planning to prepare them for emerging new markets, structures and changes. He holds a doctorate in economics from Iowa State University and twice has received the Don Roush Award for Excellence in Teaching. He also received the College of Agriculture and Home Economics Adviser of the Year as well as Teacher of the Year awards. Rob M. Westmoreland Westmoreland is executive vice president for Sparks Companies. His responsibilities include overseeing Sparks' grains, oilseeds and other crop and food ingredient research and analyses functions and client services. His many food and agribusiness consulting assignments include commodity planning, price risk management and business strategic planning for a wide spectrum of U.S. and international food and agribusiness companies. Previously, he was group vice president and general manager of Pillsbury Industrial Foods. His management experience includes economic analyses and commodity risk management, business strategic planning, marketing, and general management in food processing. He is an economics graduate of Rice University and of Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Discussion Meet Four young farmers will compete for the State Discussion Meet title. Roger Baker, Wayne County; Amanda Miller, Tuscarawas County; Angela Emmons, Fulton County; and Dustin Sonnenberg, Henry County will discuss "What are the Pros and Cons of Government Support Programs." Ohio has had much national success in the Discussion Meet, with last year's contestant, Melanie Wilt, finishing in the top 16. 1999's winner Laura Corcoran, was a top four finalist. Young Farmer/Couple Contest Applicants are judged on the basis of what they have accomplished, the progress they have made since they started farming, management ability, spouse's role as a partner, and Farm Bureau and community involvement. Young Farmer contestants are Clark Emmons, Fulton County; Kathy Ayers, Ashland County; and Mark Stokes, Clinton County. Young Farm Couple contestants are Nick and Lisa Heitz, Auglaize County; Robert and Bobbie Vernon, Muskingum County and Mark and Lori Neal, Gallia County. Agenda Highlights Wednesday, Nov. 28 Noon – Registration Opens 1 to 5 p.m. – Visit Hospitality Corner 1:30 p.m. – County Presidents' Caucus 3 p.m. – Seminar: "A Prosperous Agriculture in an Uncertain World" Dr. Lowell Catlett, professor, NMSU 8:30 p.m. – Reception, hosted by OFBF board of trustees Thursday, Nov. 29 8 a.m. – Seminar: "Looking Beyond the Farm Bill: Economic Issues Impacting Agriculture" Rob M. Westmoreland, executive vice president, Sparks Companies 8 to 11 a.m. – Visit Hospitality Corner 9:30 a.m. – Discussion Meet Finals 11:30 a.m. – Kick Off Lunch
2 to 5 p.m. – General Session
6:30 p.m. – Harvest Banquet
Friday, Nov. 30 7:30 a.m. – Trustee Elections 8:30 a.m. – General Session 11:45 a.m. – Delegate Lunch
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