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"…On the national scene, we've had some wins. One of our primary issues this year is the protection of the integrity of the farm bill. We've worked hard to get a safety net for the security of our farms and now through the appropriation process, we've got to work hard to make sure funding remains unchanged for our safety net. I thought by now I'd be telling you we had an energy bill with the renewable fuels standard…We continue to fight for this and I'm convinced in the end this will be a win for ethanol and biodiesel for this country. With the 2002 crop and the drought we experienced we were also successful in getting a disaster bill for farmers who had catastrophic losses.

"…At the state level, there has been a lot of action, too. Under wins, House Bill 152 aligned our concentration of our animal feed lot law with national EPA laws and also clarified who had siting authority for large animal livestock operations…We worked to ensure that Ohio's ag interest was upheld in the budget debate. We passed credible data legislation that sets forward standards of what is acceptable data and its methods for collection with regard to environmental regulations.

"We're here today to work on policy issues for tomorrow… Also before us today, we have a question that will decide the future direction of Ohio Farm Bureau. Today, we ask the question: Will we be satisfied with today's Farm Bureau? Or can we do more?

"In 1998 a group of delegates like yourself challenged our organization to reach out to broader audiences. Since then, after holding listening sessions, meeting with various stakeholders through the Envisioned Future process and convening a statewide finance committee, the Ohio Farm Bureau state board unanimously submitted a dues increase recommendation to the Code Committee.

"Many issues were identified during this process that could be improved, but three had a common thread. …As part of the dues increase we're suggesting a new position for a National Affairs director. Ohio has a very influential group of Congressmen. We believe there could be great impact by having a full-time lobbyist working on national issues… You said we need more involvement by our active members. I call this one 'Send your neighbor to D.C.' We all have that farmer that lives around the corner from us. They wouldn't think about not being a member. They also wouldn't think about getting involved. This program would send one member per county per year on a visit to Washington, much like the one young farmers go on every year… You said our customer doesn't understand us. Agriculture falls woefully short when it comes to talking to the consumer, our customer. In recent polling, we find that there's a huge savings of goodwill that we've built up with our consumer. They like us! …But when it comes to how we farm today, we don't poll so well. …Part of the dues proposal through many avenues would bring our issues to the consumer.

"Folks are delivering your message. Others are telling your customer that you're polluting the water, abusing your livestock and producing food that can harm them. Will we just sit back or will we fight? Will we talk about the safest, most abundant, most affordable food supply in the history of the world or will we complain to each other and do nothing? I believe it's time to fight back. And I'll ask this question: If Farm Bureau doesn't do it, who will? Who will lead the fight?

"Farmers like you and I, we've won the lottery. We were born in the greatest country in the history of the world during the country's finest times. Even our poor are rich by the majority of the world's measure. We were born to good parents that more likely than not churched us, schooled us, taught us right from wrong. But the reason I believe I won the lottery is because I'm a farmer. I have the greatest job on earth. I produce food and fiber for my fellow man around the corner or around the world. It's high time we share our passion with our neighbors and that we show them what we do and why we do it.

"I believe the finest chapter of the Ohio Farm Bureau is yet to be written. With talented and dedicated volunteers like yourselves and with your leadership, I believe this organization can accomplish anything it puts its mind to. Lead on Farm Bureau."