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During a news conference at annual meeting, Ohio Farm Bureau President Terry McClure president talked about the hardships Ohio farmers had to endure this year. The wet spring followed by an extreme dry streak made for a bad crop year. Farmers also had to deal with low hog and milk prices.

On the up side, McClure told reporters Farm Bureau had a successful year. "It was a tough year for agriculture, but a great year for Farm Bureau. We got a lot accomplished," McClure said. Some of those accomplishments included the passage of the farm bill, trade promotion authority, S.B. 141 and getting an ethanol tax credit.

As part of OFBF’s Envision Future project, McClure said he would like to see farmers tell their story to their consumers to build a better understanding. "We need to take our story to the public," McClure said.

OFBF Executive Vice President Jack Fisher noted OFBF’s involvement in the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. "The center is an extension of our interest in youth and youth development," he said. "With our partnerships with Nationwide, Ohio State University and 4-H, it is a natural extension for Ohio Farm Bureau."

Fisher also spoke about OFBF’s political action involvement. OFBF spent a lot of time with the candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court and endorsed Maureen O’Connor and Evelyn Stratton, both of whom were successful. "We looked for those who could help us on the bench," Fisher said. "We want them to interpret the law, not make the law."

Also, many of OFBF’s ‘Friends of Agriculture’ were also elected to their respective spots in the federal and Ohio legislature, county government, etc.

When McClure was asked about a recent trade mission to Cuba with AFBF President Bob Stallman and four other state Farm Bureau presidents, he said the purpose of the trip was to normalize trade relations with Cuba. Ohio grain, soybean and lumber producers could find large markets there.

"Cuba is desperately poor. When you go to Cuba, you really realize what you’ve got."