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Three new organization directors (OD) have been hired by OFBF’s Field Services Department, and three state staffers have had their duties altered to better meet the needs of members, according to Jeff Watkins, OFBF vice president of field services.

Hired to serve as OD for Crawford, Marion, Morrow and Richland counties is Korre Boyer of Lucas in Ashland County. Before joining Farm Bureau, Boyer was a vocational agriculture teacher in the Lucas Local Schools. He farms 72 acres and raises cattle and goats for show.

He graduated from Ohio State in 1999 with a major in agricultural education and a minor in production agriculture. He is a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Plymouth. He and his wife, Belinda, have one son.

The new OD in Carroll, Harrison, Jefferson and Tuscarawas counties is Michele Specht of Dover in Tuscarawas County. She and her husband, Steven, own and operate Trealayne Holsteins, where they also raise corn and alfalfa on 200 acres.

Specht received a bachelor of science in agriculture from Ohio State in 1978, is an adviser for Milkmakers 4-H Club, is a member of the Tuscarawas County Dairy Committee and on the board of the Ohio Holstein Association. The Spechts have three children and are members of St. John’s United Church of Christ.

John L. Walter is the new organization director in Hamilton, Montgomery and Warren counties. He comes to Ohio Farm Bureau after serving for 11 years within the Michigan Farm Bureau as a regional representative, young farmer manager and, most recently, as manager of membership and field services.

He has a degree in business marketing from Kent State University.

Three state Farm Bureau staffers began new duties effective Aug. 1, according to Watkins.

Mike Fearon, OFBF director of membership activities, will now manage the state’s young farmer program in addition to directing the annual membership campaign. Melissa Jacobs will continue as field staff training and development coordinator and will add direction of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation to her duties. Darrell Rubel will continue as director of youth activities and will take on Farm Bureau’s safety programs.

"Farm Bureau’s strength is people. Our outstanding staff combine with dedicated members to form an extremely effective team." Watkins said. "We’re looking forward to another great program year and working with our member volunteers."