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by Jack Fisher, OFBF executive vice president

Editor’s note: following are excerpts from Fisher’s speech during the 2005 annual meeting.

I’ve been doing this farm organization thing for a long time. And I’ve seen members get really excited about lots of different things. But this year’s "Hog Wild" project was something extra special. Who would have thought that a herd of ceramic pigs would generate so much enthusiasm?

We borrowed an idea from the Jackson-Vinton Farm Bureau and took it statewide. County Farm Bureaus decorated their pigs so they symbolized agriculture in their county. Eighty-five pigs came in to the state office. They were displayed around the state and on the Our Ohio Web site. More than 14,000 people took the time to vote on their favorite.

I’m here to tell you, this whole hog wild thing nearly got out of hand.

But I learned something: When a bunch of busy people can get that enthused about promoting their industry, there is absolutely nothing we can’t accomplish in Ohio Farm Bureau.

Earlier this summer, I was sitting in my office, surrounded by 85 head of ceramic swine, and it got me to thinking about my days on the livestock judging team. It occurred to me that there’s some correlation between a winning show animal and a winning farm organization.

A grand champion steer or barrow starts with good genetics; when I look around this room, I see a bloodline of passion and commitment to agriculture. A winning animal has to be structurally correct; Farm Bureau’s structure of individuals working collectively for the good of the industry is exactly the correct way to get things done. To be a champion, that animal has to be well muscled; Farm Bureau is that. Ask any lawmaker, newspaper reporter or civic leader. In the public policy and public relations arenas, Farm Bureau has the clout to get things done. And that animal has to have overall eye appeal; people love farmers and so they find a connection to you to be a pretty appealing prospect.

Of course, any of you who’ve had a fair project knows that a top-notch animal is only part of what it takes to have a winner. It takes work on the part of the showman. For a project to be really meaningful, the feeding and the exercising and the washing needs to be done by the one who will stand in the ring.

It’s the same with Farm Bureau. You, and thousands of other members just like you, must maintain ownership of what this organization does on your behalf. It’s not enough to rely on your county board or state trustees to do the work of Farm Bureau. It’s not enough to rely on your organization director or state staff. You have the most to gain, or the most to lose. And you have the most to contribute.

Will Farm Bureau have another grand champion this year? It’s up to you. It’ s up to you to go hog wild about Farm Bureau.

Caption: During his speech, OFBF Executive Vice President Jack Fisher listed several of Farm Bureau’s priorities for the coming year, including involvement in the gubernatorial, General Assembly, state Supreme Court and other races in the November election. He also said the Ohio Agriculture Roadmap needs to be implemented and Ohio farmers need assurance that their interests are protected in the writing of the 2007 Farm Bill.