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by Jack Fisher, OFBF executive vice president

Thank you for your kind applause. In fairness, I should be applauding you because you have had a great year as an Ohioan, a farmer and as a Farm Bureau member.

2004 will be remembered for Ohioans performing their civic duty in spectacular fashion, heading to the polls in record numbers, and casting the key votes that will shape our nation. 2004 will be remembered as a rare year when nearly all segments of agriculture made a decent profit. This year’s net farm income should reach $73.7 billion, up more than 14 percent from last year and nearly double where it was just two years ago. 2004 also will be remembered as a banner year for Farm Bureau: We reached our 37^th consecutive year of membership growth; county Farm Bureaus unanimously supported expanding and improving programming and funding it through a dues increase; and we took the lead in political action for rural Ohioans by motivating them to make "Farm Votes Matter."

But more important than what we completed is what we have started. We’ll be exercising our political voice in the very near future with a simple message of great importance to all Ohioans: State government must get off the back of the Ohio business community. Massive state spending, increasingly higher taxes, unnecessary regulation and frivolous lawsuits are throttling farmers, businesses and individuals. This must stop if Ohio is to prosper.

It’s been said that Ohio is a state where we grow things and we make things. In the future, we may enhance those core competencies by adding high tech industries. But if any kind of business is to successfully enter what’s been called Ohio’s third frontier, we first have to employ the common sense we learned in the first frontier. Ohio’s first economy could not advance until we cleared the trees and drained the swamps. Our next economy will not advance until we clear the land of modern obstacles-- government impediments that block economic growth and choke out job creation.

Each of you has a tremendous stake in Farm Bureau’s efforts to forge a more business-friendly government. On average, 89 percent of farm household income is generated by something other than farming. Ohio agriculture needs a thriving business community. The way in which the administration and legislature respond will determine the fate of everyone who earns a paycheck in the state of Ohio.

Now, I know I’ve laid out a lot of plans today. So, what do we do in our spare time? We’re going to build Farm Bureau membership. Now, I know you’ve been there and done that, for 37 straight years. But this time, I’d like you to think a little bigger. Try this number on for size: 500,000!

Those of you who’ve agreed to work membership can pick your jaw up off the ground. In case you think I’m off my rocker, let me tell you why 500,000 isn’t so far-fetched. There are two primary reasons; one practical, one less tangible but just as valid.

On the practical side is our mutually beneficial relationship with Nationwide. Just as we’re committed to building membership, they’re committed to developing new customers. By supporting each other’s initiatives, we both can accomplish our goals.

My second reason for believing those 500,000 members is attainable goes to the heart of Farm Bureau. We will grow because of who we are and what we stand for, because of the way we do business and live our lives, and because our core values reflect what Ohioans hold most dear.

I believe our friends and neighbors are tired of the hostility that permeates our political and social discourse. I think they want civility to return to public debate on important issues. And I am convinced that Farm Bureau is the place where Ohioans can engage in political, social and economic deliberation without rolling in the mud. It’s been our way for 85 years. And as we expand our interests to the larger concerns shared by farmers and all Ohioans, our approach will continue to serve us well.

That is what makes 500,000 members an achievable goal. Ohioans will follow Farm Bureau’s lead because Farm Bureau is home to reasonable people acting in a reasonable fashion.