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by Susie Taylor

Former Ohio State and Indiana Pacers basketball star Clark Kellogg encouraged Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) Leadership Conference attendees to look at their lives as a stewardship during the meeting’s closing presentation Aug. 15.

Nearly 700 county Farm Bureau volunteers listened to the CBS college basketball analyst as he inspired them to be used for good.

"We all have unique abilities and opportunities to be difference-makers," he said. "And we all have a chance, within our sphere of influence, to choose to be used … for good."

Kellogg’s appearance capped off two days of leadership training for county presidents and chairmen of county committees: agriculture ecology, farm income and risk management, Nationwide sponsorship, government affairs, promotion and education, youth, councils and young farmers, information and safety.

This year’s attendance was the largest yet for the annual event.

In addition to the training for individual committees, the entire group heard from Ohio Farm Bureau Federation President Terry McClure, OFBF Executive Vice President Jack Fisher and Columbus-area public relations specialist David Milenthal, who addressed the farmer/consumer partnership and systems of communication.

The semi-final for the Young Farmer Discussion Meet was held. Twelve competed for the four finalist spots by discussing: "How will global circumstances affect agriculture in the next five years?" The four finalists who will compete at the OFBF annual meeting in December are Mandy Miller, Tuscarawas County; Isaac Rose, Jackson County; Molly Barnes, Delaware County; and John Buck, Marion County. The winner of the state competition will represent Ohio at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) annual meeting in Hawaii in January.

Before his presentation at the start of the conference, McClure was given his AFBF membership quota jacket by Fisher. The jacket represents Ohio gaining its membership goals set by AFBF. McClure congratulated all the volunteers for their work on this year’s membership campaign.

He also asked the group to become active mentors. "Who’s coming next? Who are you bringing along behind you (to fill specific roles within the county organization)?" McClure asked.

"We have the best people today. Will we have the best people tomorrow? The only way we can be sure of that is to ask them," he said.

Fisher likened Farm Bureau to a farmer’s barn. "Barns are built for a reason – out of necessity. The same is true of Farm Bureau," he said.

Farmers must also take time to determine their barns are up to the task for the job they’re expected to do – the same is true of the organization. And sometimes, alterations and expansions need to be made to keep up with those tasks.

"A barn is built for the long term, but we measure our success in the short term," he said. To accomplish the tasks set forth for the organization, Fisher said the organization, which has a strong foundation, needs added funds for expansion. He talked about how a proposed dues increase would enable OFBF to expand operation into areas set forth by the membership.

Milenthal encouraged the volunteer leaders to know their audience, enforce key issues, put a human face on agriculture, build support and understanding on key issues and develop coalitions of support.

"Never have you had a better opportunity because the world trusts you," he said.

Leadership Conference attendees also visited the Ohio State Fair for Farm Bureau Day and participated in an ice cream social at the Nationwide Agriculture and Horticulture Building.

Cutline:

Clark Kellogg, former Ohio State and Indiana Pacers basketball star and current CBS college hoops analyst, spoke to volunteer leaders about using themselves to do good and be "difference-makers."