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Farm Bureau is important to Wayne County. Many of Wayne County Farm Bureau’s committees and members have been asked to participate with many of the county’s other organizations.

The government affairs committee is involved in many aspects of county government. Through the continuing efforts of Kurt Steiner, chairman, Farm Bureau now is consulted and has impact in literally every plan and program that the county puts together. There is no elected official in county government that does not belong to Wayne County Farm Bureau.

"Few, if any, county officials ever miss the opportunity to participate in Wayne County Farm Bureau's policy development process," said John Fitzpatrick, organization director for Ashland, Wayne and Medina counties. "The members are very interested in debating the specifics of the policy they are proposing and voting on."

In addition to the government affairs committee, the agricultural ecology committee, promotion and education committee, farm income and risk management and policy development coordinators have implemented community programs.

Members of the Farm Bureau are actively recruited to serve on the decision-making committees and councils throughout the county. The Farm Bureau has been asked to supply leaders to the board of directors and various task forces of the Wayne Development Council, county Republican Party, several committees of the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce, county planning commission, Farmland Preservation Task Force, numerous boards of non-profit agencies and most county and school district issue task forces.

The committees proposing most ballot issues actively seek endorsement or concurrence from Farm Bureau. Seldom does the Farm Bureau endorse a political candidate but most of them seek the approval of the Farm Bureau board of trustees.

Because of this very active involvement, Wayne County is implementing a County Comprehensive Plan and an Economic Development Program that recognizes the importance of agriculture to the overall economy. Recently Farm Bureau officers and other agricultural leaders attended a business breakfast when the leaders of industry, agriculture, retail and government unveiled a plan to form a revitalized economic development corporation. It will be headed by a president and implemented through two development professionals, one specifically for manufacturing and retail and one specializing in agriculture.

"The leaders of the county enjoy the quality of life that Wayne County has to offer, and they realize the importance of agriculture in contributing to that way of life. The county is determined to plan and control its growth so that its workers and youth have a real future, and its families have a lifestyle they can enjoy," Fitzpatrick said.