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More than 1,100 members in Fulton, Henry, Williams, Lucas, Ottawa and Wood counties participated in two Farm Bureau-sponsored activities in a period of four days.

The first member opportunity was the annual Farm Family Health screenings at three area hospitals June 17, 18 and 20. More than 560 people took advantage of a comprehensive health check-up.

For $50, members could receive the following: executive lab profile, blood pressure, blood sugar, pulmonary function test, vision screening, audiometric test, dietician consultation, podiatry screening, skin cancer screening, take-home occult blood test, body composition, oral screening, and flexibility screen with customized exercises. Other optional tests offered were prostrate specific antigen, tetanus booster injection and C-reactive protein. All tests combined would normally cost over $200.

The results of the blood tests were sent to the members’ homes, and they were encouraged to share the results with their family physician for review and guidance. If members did not have a family physician, the hospitals provided assistance in finding one that met their needs.

The specialized screenings identified health risks for a number of participants. Many farmers do not take the time for regular check-ups, and Jeremy Harrison, OFBF organization director for Lucas, Ottawa and Wood counties, said the screenings were a good way to get people in to get checked out and possibly prevent future health problems.

Also, more than 575 members from the northwestern area took in a Toledo Mud Hens baseball game June 20 for the annual Farm Bureau Night. The Mud Hens played the Rochester Red Wings, but unfortunately the Hens were defeated 5 to 0.

"It was great to have so many active and associate members involved in Farm Bureau activities in one week," Harrison said. "Bringing our members together lets them share and further build the relationship between farmers and consumers."