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In what may have been an unprecedented performance for any state Farm Bureau, Ohio stole the spotlight at the 2002 annual meeting of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) in Reno, Nev.

"I don't think any state has ever experienced such a broad scope of success at any one convention," said Jack Fisher, executive vice president of Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF).

OFBF received the prestigious President's Award from AFBF. This award is presented annually to the top state Farm Bureau in the nation based on competition between states of similar membership size. States are judged on overall program and membership achievement. This is the third year in a row and ninth of the past 11 years Ohio has been named the winner of the President's Award for its membership category.

Other President's Awards in different membership categories went to Maine, Montana, New York, Missouri and Tennessee.

OFBF also received the maximum 12 Gold Stars in the Achievement Award competition, which measures the performance of state organizations in the categories of membership; commodity marketing; Farm Bureau women’s programs; Young Farmers and Ranchers; information and public relations; state and local government affairs; leadership and organizational development; public policy implementation; political education; policy development; Agriculture in the Classroom; and agricultural promotion and special programs. Ohio’s special program entry was the Land and Living display at the Ohio State Fair.

Gold Stars represent the highest honor in the system and are included in the selection of the President's Award. Ohio was one of only nine states to earn all 12 Gold Stars.

Dustin Sonnenberg, Henry County, won a fully loaded 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab 4x4 pickup truck with a Magnum V10 engine and free registration fees as the winner of the American Farm Bureau Discussion Meet, which took place during the annual meeting in Reno.

Sonnenberg competed in two round robin meets and landed a spot in the Sweet 16. As the winner of that round, he made the final four competition with eventual contest runners-up Kevin Underwood of Indiana, Pam Williams of Georgia and Kyle Brase of Illinois. Each runner-up received a $6,000 U.S. Savings Bond courtesy of Cummins Engine Company, Inc.

The Discussion Meet simulates a committee meeting where active discussion and participation are expected. Participants are evaluated on their ability to exchange ideas and information on a pre-determined topic.

Sonnenberg credited his upbringing on a dairy farm and his career as a high school vocational agriculture teacher for preparing him to compete and win the contest. He and wife, Cheryl, raise dairy steers for freezer beef and help out with Cheryl's parents' cash grain operation.

In the last decade Ohio has accumulated quite a record at the national discussion meet, with two top four finalists and two sweet 16 finalists. Sonnenberg is the first national winner.

Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) President Terry McClure was elected to the board of directors of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). McClure, of Paulding County, will help provide leadership to the nation's largest and most influential farm organization. McClure is the first Ohioan elected to the AFBF board since Dave Miller of Newark in 1985.

During his two-year term, McClure represents the Midwest Region, comprised of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. He will continue his duties as president of the Ohio Farm Bureau. McClure's election took place Jan. 8 during the AFBF annual meeting. "This is a great opportunity to be included in the leadership of the most effective farm organization in the nation," McClure said. "It is an honor and a privilege to serve Ohio's and America's farmers."

McClure's family farm consists of 2,600 acres 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 United Methodist Church. He and his wife, Lisa, are the parents of three children.

OFBF Executive Vice President Jack Fisher commended McClure's willingness to take on the additional responsibilities that come with the AFBF position. "Terry wants more than anything to help keep agriculture viable for future generations, and he believes Farm Bureau is the way to accomplish that. His commitment to the organization will benefit us all."

Gary Baldosser, of Seneca County, completed his one-year term as chairman of the AFBF Young Farmer and Rancher Committee. He and his wife, Becky, served a two-year term on the committee. During the time on the committee, members are given vast amounts of training on leadership qualities and issues, as well as honing other professional skills. Baldosser also is a member of the OFBF Board of Trustees.