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In an era of hi-tech communications, OFBF is putting two old fashioned tools to work: talking and listening. Three Farm Bureau board members recently opened their homes in a series of "toolshed meetings" designed specifically to hear from farmers who have not been active in the organization.

"I really believe what Farm Bureau is doing at the state and county level is important," said trustee Don Ralph who hosted a group at his Marion County farm. "We need to convince these people of that and they'll get involved."

Many of the toolshed attendees manage relatively large operations. These are the kind of producers who have a lot at stake when agriculture is challenged, according to Coshocton County host and state trustee Brent Porteus.

"Usually that two-by-four doesn't smack us up side the head individually because Farm Bureau exercises its muscle and it doesn't hit us," he said. "Guys understand Farm Bureau's protecting them, but they sometimes don't make the direct connection between Farm Bureau's work and how their businesses benefit."

Trustee Mike Schumm, who hosted a group on his Van Wert County farm, recognizes that one big challenge is a lack of time. Busy people "count on us to be their spokesman," he said. But for OFBF to truly speak on their behalf, Schumm said, "We need their input. We need to find ways to get this silent majority more involved so we can do a better job of representing all of agriculture."

Among the common topics trustees heard their guests discuss were the 2007 Farm Bill, livestock issues, land use, energy and taxes – the kinds of topics where all farmers need to weigh in, according to Ralph. "Livestock farmers, grain farmers, small and medium and big farmers; we all need to work closely together at the state and county levels," he said.

The trustees agreed that to build more involvement, the organization needs to emphasize communications. That's no small task, according to Schumm, who said his guests expressed a wide range of preferences from print to mail to Internet when asked the best way to reach them. Porteus said tools such as Buckeye Farm News and the Web site belong in the mix as long as they offer something of value.

But the toolshed format may deserve a bigger role in the communications job, Ralph said. "One of the guys told me we ought to have four of these sessions a year. You can't beat just having a bunch of farmers sitting around talking to each other."