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Farmers with innovative ideas that result in cost savings, increased efficiency, preservation of the environment or improvement in net income could win an expense-paid trip to Hawaii.

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) sponsors the Farmer Idea Exchange, a program geared to surfacing inventions, equipment modifications, innovative crops, marketing techniques, management systems and farming practices developed by farmers. It is designed to encourage Farm Bureau members to share their innovative ideas and help farmers find ways to improve their farm operations.

Ideas may be entered in the following categories: soil quality, livestock, crops, management systems, input efficiency, equipment, energy, marketing, safety and handicap helpers, farm shop ideas, water management, wildlife, farm buildings, rotational grazing and tobacco.

County Farm Bureaus who have developed innovative programs and activities that meet Farm Bureau goals are encouraged to share their ideas in the County Program Exchange. Entries should focus on one of the five categories listed: Ag in the Classroom, commodity promotion, information/public relations, issues: local/state/national, or other.

Multiple entries per county are permissible as long as each entry treats a separate and distinct program or activity.

Up to 15 farmer ideas and up to 15 county programs will be selected to for display at the 2004 AFBF annual convention. No more than two programs per state will be selected for display.

Please contact Melissa Jacobs at Ohio Farm Bureau for more information about either program. Entry forms may be obtained from the AFBF Web site, www.fb.org, FB programs, Farmer Idea Exchange or County Program Exchange. Entries are due to OFBF by Sept. 15.