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It was Roger Lochtefeld's lucky day.

Out of hundreds of entries, the Mercer County resident's name was called as the winner of the 2006 John Deere Gator, the grand prize at the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation's 2006 Statewide Membership Celebration.

Lochtefeld has a turkey and grain farm in the little town of Fort Recovery near the Indiana border.

"We use a little vehicle like that all the time," he said. "We had a golf cart with a bed on the back that's now worn out. Now we don't have to buy a new one."

Approximately 700 others walked away with armloads of prizes feeling just as lucky on June 24 at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. The celebration was for volunteers who made the 2006 membership campaign one of the best ever. This year's campaign resulted in more volunteers involved in county campaigns than in recent history.

Lochtefeld said he signs up new members because "it's the right thing to do to keep things going good" and he "kind of tries to help out when he can."

For their continued efforts, members were treated to music by the John Schwab Band. Juggler/comedian Matt Jergens brought member volunteers up on stage to help him with his acts.

"It was a great day. Everyone had a good time," said Mike Fearon, OFBF's director of membership activities.

The guests were treated to a hearty lunch of pot roast, mashed potatoes, chicken and stuffing provided by Concessions by Cox.

The celebration honored volunteers who worked feverishly to sign up new members. Some were awarded for signing 40 or more members in the past year. Others were recognized as Ambassador Club winners for signing 10 or more members in a year.

"This was a good way to recognize all of our volunteers," Fearon said.

Many took home prizes such as fax machines and mini-refrigerators, tool kits and televisions.

Parrot Implement in Richwood provided the John Deere Gator.

Caption: Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Jack Fisher congratulates Roger Lochtefeld of Mercer County. Lochtefeld's name was drawn as the winner of a 2006 John Deere Gator at the 2006 Statewide Membership Celebration.