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by Annie Cunningham

Envision. Lead. Succeed. These are the words that Farm Bureau volunteers will hear at this year’s Leadership Conference, Aug. 15 and 16 in Columbus.

Along with training county presidents and chairmen of eight program areas, the Envision Future Project that was introduced at last year’s Leadership Conference will be the focus of this year’s agenda.

The conference will get under way on Aug. 15 at 9 a.m. Participants will be welcomed by Terry McClure, OFBF president. The keynote speaker will be Roger Blackwell, professor of marketing at the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University and president of Roger Blackwell Associates Inc. The group of leaders will also hear from OFBF Executive Vice President Jack Fisher.

County presidents; government affairs, promotion and education, advisory council, young farmer and agricultural ecology chairmen; and marketing, information, youth and safety coordinators will take part in training. They will spend time learning about their responsibilities for the year.

"This conference really sets the tone for the rest of the program year. This is where we can all work together toward our common goal – succeeding with every aspect of our organization," said David Rule, OFBF director of technology and staff development, who is coordinating the event. "The county leaders are such a big part of our success every year, and it’s always great to see the turnout at Leadership Conference."

Another exciting part of the two-day conference is the discussion meet. Many young farmers will compete at a chance to be a state finalist. The discussion meet winners at Leadership Conference will move on to the state finals at OFBF’s annual meeting this December.

Volunteers will also have the opportunity to participate in a canned food drive to benefit the Mid-Ohio Food Bank sponsored by OFBF’s Club Fed. Club Fed is the Farm Bureau staff organization for volunteer and charitable activities. Volunteers should bring canned goods to the registration area during registration hours Aug. 15 and 16. Home canned and perishables will not be accepted. Mid-Ohio Food Bank distributes food to agencies in 20 central and eastern Ohio counties. The Food Bank supplies food for private, nonprofit charitable organizations providing important social services to low-income families.

The conference will end with a trip to OFBF’s Land and Living Exhibit at the Ohio State Fair on the afternoon of Aug. 16.

The program takes place at the Columbus Marriott North and Sanese Services. More than 500 county leaders are expected to participate in the program.

For more information, contact your county Farm Bureau office.