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by Jack Fisher, OFBF executive vice president

Imagine a neighbor moving in who has a built-in understanding that farming is sometimes dusty, noisy or smelly. Imagine a lawmaker in Washington who makes decisions with the full knowledge of what's in the best interest of Ohio's farm families. Imagine thousands of families throughout the state who realize their food is safe, their jobs are secure and their environment is protected, all because of the efforts of Ohio farmers.

Now imagine that you’re not imagining that friendly neighbor, enlightened legislator and appreciative public. They’re real. And the price for all this good will and understanding is 10 or 20 bucks a year.

As you’ll read on page one of this Buckeye Farm News, OFBF is gearing up to take on newer and bigger duties. Four years ago, delegates to our annual meeting challenged Farm Bureau to expand its influence; to reach traditional and new audiences, to enlarge and enhance the understanding and perception of what it means to be a farmer and how farming is vital to the economic, environmental and social fabric of Ohio.

During those four years, Farm Bureau engaged in countless listening sessions, planning exercises, public opinion polls, discussions and debates. What emerged was our plan of action, a plan spelled out in our "Envisioned Future" document that says Farm Bureau's efforts should be targeted at "creating a partnership between farmers and consumers." We’ll accomplish that goal by "working together for Ohio’s farmers," and we’ll know we’re successful when we have created "strong relationships, a viable future for agriculture, a strong organization and a balanced ecology."

Achieving those goals is no small task. And it's not cheap. Just last December, county delegates to the OFBF annual meeting overwhelmingly approved a $10 dues increase. Starting in 2005, the portion of your dues the county remits to OFBF will increase to $46. It's the first increase in 16 years. And it is targeted specifically at your desire for Farm Bureau to take on the new challenges facing agriculture in Ohio.

Some of the plans for the money are spelled out in the page one story. Existing programs and projects will be refined and some new opportunities will be explored. Among the plans are enhanced communications, a full-time national affairs director, a fully-staffed agricultural ecology program, funding for the Epcot exhibit at Disney World in Orlando, Fla., an enhanced membership database, a county-leader Washington experience program, our COSI agriculture in the classroom programs, better training for staff, continuation of the state fair exhibit and others.

In a few short weeks, you’re going to be asked to give your vote of confidence to these exciting programs and projects. And at the same time, you’ll be asked to express your support for the relationship-building work carried out by your county Farm Bureau. Most counties will be seeking some type of dues increase to both meet the new state dues commitment and to maintain and enhance county activities. Last year, 12 counties passed dues increases in anticipation of the change in state dues. Seven of those counties exceeded the $10 mark, recognizing that for Farm Bureau to be successful locally, more resources were needed at home as well. This year, most of you will be asked to consider taking similar steps, to adequately fund the important work of Farm Bureau at both the local and state levels. I hope you’ll study the county’s proposal, ask the pertinent questions and arrive at the conclusion that another $10 or $20 a year is a reasonable investment in your organization’s work to create a brighter future for your farm and your family. Don’t just imagine the possibilities – make them real.