Mahoning County represents Ohio in Idea Exchange Program AFBF recognized 15 outstanding county Farm Bureau initiatives under the County Idea Exchange Program. The programs were selected based on content, benefits to Farm Bureau members, innovation and results. The top three programs were selected in five categories: Ag in the Classroom; commodity; information and public relations; and issues: local, state and national; and other. Mahoning County Farm Bureau’s initiative, Ag Camp Down on the Farm, was named one of the top information and public relations programs. Ag Camp Down on the Farm is a three-day agriculture camp for children that teaches the importance of where food comes from, safety awareness and each individual’s role in providing a safe and healthy environment. "This program gives us the chance to tell the story about agriculture in an interesting way to children," said Kim Moff, from Mahoning County Farm Bureau. "We start with the basics of soil and water and take them through planting and harvesting and feeding and through the whole cycle." The following county initiatives also were recognized: Ag in the Classroom Ag in the Classroom – Making Partners, Dickinson County Farm Bureau, Iowa; Close Encounters with Agriculture, Montgomery County Farm Bureau, Maryland; Origins of Food Day, Dakota County Farm Bureau, Minnesota Commodity Milk Vending Machines for Kids, Broome County Farm Bureau, New York; The Farmers’ Slice, Alfalfa County Farm Bureau, Oklahoma; Soybeans are Everywhere, Jasper County Farm Bureau, Missouri Information/public relations Operation Salad for Service Members, Santa Barbara County, California; Why Should You "Carrot" All About Biotechnology, Uinta County Farm Bureau, Wyoming Issues: Local, state and national Protecting the Rights of Livestock Producers Threatened by Local Activists, Humboldt County Farm Bureau, Iowa; AgriBusiness Network, Douglas County Farm Bureau, Kansas; Buena Vista Lake Shrew, Kern County Farm Bureau, California Other Grannie Safe-N-Sound, Riley County Farm Bureau Association, Kansas; Farm Safety Isn’t Just for Farm Families, Rock County Farm Bureau, Minnesota; Anhydrous Theft Stickers, Effingham County Farm Bureau, Illinois Caption: There was a constant crowd at Mahoning County Farm Bureau’s County Idea Exchange booth during the trade show at the AFBF annual meeting. Here Kim Moff, l, with back turned, shows visitors some of the activities at the Ag Camp Down on the Farm. | |