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by Annie Cunningham

With 2002’s tough membership campaign behind us, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) volunteers and staff are hard at work in 2003 to obtain 36 consecutive years of gain. Most of the county kick-offs will be completed by early February, and volunteers are calling members to renew and are making farm visits to recruit new members.

"(At press time) We need 31,133 members for overall gain and 7,610 for farmer gain. Our goal is to reach those numbers by May 1," said Mike Fearon, OFBF’s director of membership activities. "Last year, 1,416 volunteers signed at least one member, and this year we’re trying to get more volunteers involved."

Along with OFBF volunteers and staff, Nationwide agents and employees help with membership. Farm Bureau members with Nationwide farm, home and auto insurance receive special benefits. Nationwide continues to develop and maintain insurance and financial services programs that meet Farm Bureau members’ changing needs.

The benchmark date of Feb. 14 is important for county Farm Bureaus that want to win prizes. Counties that reach gain by benchmark will receive $100, and those that also have farmer gain will win another $100 from OFBF. The membership chair will win a Farm Bureau jacket if overall county gain is reached by benchmark.

There also are many other awards county Farm Bureaus can shoot for:

• Prospect Award – Those who brought a list of at least five prospective new member names to kick-off received a Farm Bureau outdoor temperature gauge.
• Ambassador Club Award – Volunteers receive a choice of a mag lite or a Longaberger Basket for signing 10 new members by April 1.
• Three Member Award – Volunteers who sign three new members will be entered into a drawing for an Ohio State Park gift certificate. One certificate will be awarded to a volunteer in each county.
• Six Member Award – Volunteers who sign six members, three of which must be new, qualify to attend their area recognition.
• Golden Tractor – An award for a 50 member or 7 percent gain by May 31.
• Silver Plowshare Award – An award for 50 new farmer members or 7 percent of 2001 farmer member total by May 31.
• Super Star Award – A plaque with a gold star for each 100 members gained by May 31.

In addition, if county gain or farmer gain is reached by March 1, the county membership chairman earns a trip to Indianapolis.

"Ohio Farm Bureau is fortunate to have such a strong volunteer base. They do so much of the work during the annual membership campaign," Fearon said. "OFBF’s many benefits are strong selling points to prospective members."