Members vote to retain leadersThe Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s three top officers were re-elected during the annual meeting in Cincinnati. President Terry McClure of Paulding County, Vice President Bob Peterson of Fayette County and Treasurer Sparky Weilnau of Erie County were each elected to their second full term. In addition, six current state trustees were re-elected and one new trustee was elected. President McClure's family farm consists of corn, soybeans and wheat. He also owns and operates a grain hauling business. Along with his Farm Bureau activities he is involved with the Ohio Wheat Growers Association, the Paulding Soil and Water Conservation District and the Middle Creek United Methodist Church. He and his wife, Lisa, are the parents of three children. Vice President Peterson farms with his father and brother. Their family operation consists of corn, soybeans, wheat, hay, hogs and beef cattle. In addition to Farm Bureau activities, Peterson is a Fayette County Commissioner and is involved with the Fayette County Pork Producers. He graduated from Ohio State University with a B.S. in Agriculture. He and his wife, Lisa, are the parents of three children. Treasurer Weilnau was also re-elected to his third three-year term as a State Trustee, representing members from Cuyahoga, Erie, Huron and Lorain Counties. His farming operation includes popcorn, field corn, soybeans, and wheat. Weilnau also serves as an Erie County Commissioner, is on the Berlin Public Library Board and is a member of the Erie County Regional Planning Commission. Weilnau and his wife, Catherine, are the parents of two sons. William Lowe of Union County was elected to the state board to represent Delaware, Franklin, Madison and Union counties. He replaces Gary McDowell who retired after serving nine years on the board. Lowe’s farming operation includes corn, soybeans and wheat. He is a 20-year Farm Bureau member and has chaired information, policy development, youth and government affairs committees for the Union County Farm Bureau. In addition to his Farm Bureau activities, Lowe has been active with the Richwood Independent Fair and the Pharisburg United Methodist Church. He and his wife Tamara are the parents of two children, Jennifer (O’Connor) and Russell. Five current state trustees were re-elected to three-year terms. Steve Hess of Champaign County represents Champaign, Clark, Darke and Miami counties. Randy Leis of Montgomery County represents Butler, Hamilton, Montgomery and Preble counties. Vicki McConnell of Muskingum County serves as Southeast Women's Trustee and represents 24 counties. Bob Slicker of Summit County represents Ashland, Medina, Summit and Wayne counties. Merlin Wentworth of Noble County represents Belmont, Monroe, Noble and Washington counties. | |




