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More than 700 county Farm Bureau volunteers met in Columbus in mid-August for the annual Leadership Conference, an all-time high attendance for this annual volunteer training meeting. This year’s program theme of "Building for Tomorrow" was kicked off with the conference.

Training was offered to advisory council coordinators, agriculture ecology chairmen, county presidents, government affairs chairmen, information coordinators, marketing chairmen, membership coordinators, promotion and education chairmen, safety chairmen and youth leaders.

"We are so appreciative of all the work these volunteers do for Farm Bureau throughout the year," according to John C. "Jack" Fisher, OFBF executive vice president. "There is no way Farm Bureau could afford to pay for the work these volunteers do year in and year out. They’re truly committed to the success of their county programs and Ohio Farm Bureau."

Those attending Leadership Conference received a special "preview edition" of the new Buckeye Farm News and visited the Land and Living Exhibit in the Agriculture and Horticulture Building at the Ohio State Fair.

Attendees also signed petitions during an August "Congressional Blitz" calling for action on three national issues – ethanol, trade promotion authority and funding for trade enhancement and expansion programs.

A new feature at the 2001 Leadership Conference was the ability for volunteers to attend "break-out" sessions on building committees, becoming a leader and setting program goals for the year.

Finalists for the Young Farmer Discussion Meet were selected during semi-final matches. The four finalists – Roger Baker, Wayne County; Amanda Miller, Tuscarawas County; Angela Ottman, Fulton County; and Dustin Sonnenberg, Henry County – competed during the Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting at the end of November. The winner will represent Ohio at the American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Reno, Nev., Jan. 5-9, 2002.