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Presentations, programs and a panel discussion highlight the first day of the OFBF annual meeting, Dec. 1 to 3, 2004 in Columbus. Wednesday, Dec. 1 and Thursday morning, Dec. 2 will be filled with inspirational, informational and interactive sessions led by a strong group of presenters.

Shirley Garrett will be the meeting’s keynote speaker. Alan Brugler and Roger Geiger will host two seminars, and Jim Chakeres will offer a seminar/cooking demonstration.

If you have not already done so, make plans today to participate in the meeting. Contact your county Farm Bureau office for information.

Dr. Shirley Garrett
Following the meeting’s theme, "The Power of One: One vision, one purpose, one message," Garrett will offer the keynote address at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1. She is the author of the best-selling book, A Tap Water Girl in a Bottled Water World, which chronicles her journey from an orphanage to earning a doctorate in education.

She is a graduate of Samford University, the State University of West Georgia and the University of Georgia. She is co-founder of Forever Families, a company dedicated to helping today’s changing families create a healthy and supportive environment for children and adults. She also is founder of Camp Garrett, The Great American Kid’s Camp.

Alan Brugler
Brugler is president of Brugler Marketing and Management, a Nebraska-based marketing advisory and consulting service. He serves as the principal market adviser and analyst for the firm. He also is a contributor to Buckeye Farm News, writing the Commodity Corner column. From 1992-2002 he was the director of analysis and product research for the AgDaily News Division of DTN and also served as a market strategist for DTN Ag1. Prior to joining DTN, Brugler was director of market information services for OFBF.

He will present a marketing seminar Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 3:45 p.m.

Livestock Panel
Roger Geiger, president, Ohio Rural Development Partnership and Midwest regional vice president for the National Federation of Independent Business, will moderate a livestock panel discussion, "Livestock in Ohio?" Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 3:45 p.m. Geiger will use his expertise to guide the discussion from a business perspective. Panelists include Leisa Boley Hellwarth, an attorney; Kevin Elder, executive director of Ohio’s Livestock Permitting Program; and Mark Stockman, Paulding County Engineer. Also joining the panel is Sen. Larry Mumper, R-Marion. The panel will be addressing the state of regulation and livestock permitting in Ohio. There will be time for questions and answers during this program.

Jim Chakeres
Chakeres is the executive vice president of the Ohio Poultry Association. Promoting Ohio agricultural products comes naturally, as he has been involved with his family’s farm operation since age nine. In addition to his current position with the Ohio poultry industry, he has worked with the Ohio Lamb Marketing Program and the American Lamb Council.

Chakeres’ seminar, "Connecting with the Consumer," will take place during the omelet breakfast Thursday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 a.m. As part of his seminar, he will be conducting a cooking demonstration. Most recently, education has taken on two forms in his cooking demonstrations: The consumer must have an understanding of Ohio agriculture and how it impacts their daily lives. Secondly, the average consumer still needs basic cooking instruction to bring a quality product to their table.