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One reason that Ohio Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Peterson gave to the Ohio media for the annual County Presidents Trip to Washington, D.C. was borrowed from an old quote: "Politics is too important to leave to politicians."

That's why each year since 1946 the Ohio Farm Bureau has organized the grassroots lobbying event. This year, 75 county presidents participated.

"We have issues, important ones," said Peterson at the beginning of the trip. "And we have new congressmen who have been in office for two months."

Peterson encouraged the presidents to be vocal, and the leaders responded.

"We need more money," Jackson-Vinton County President Shane Meldick told freshman Congressman Zack Space, D-Ohio, regarding the upcoming farm bill debate.

"Animal rights activists want to change how we do things," said Trumbull County President Glenn Smith when he and other northeastern presidents talked with Rep. Tim Ryan about the proposed horse slaughter ban.

"These trips are valuable," said Geauga County Farm Bureau President Helen Scheuring. "Agriculture has changed and it's important to keep a close relationship between Congress and senators."

Peterson also told the presidents they should walk away with one important thing from the trip: lawmakers' phone numbers.

"Program them into your phone so you can punch a button and leave a message," he said.

Caption: (Top) Trumbull County President Glenn Smith talks with Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) about the farm bill and horse slaughter. (Bottom) Rep. Jim Jordan, R-OH, spoke with OFBF county presidents in a House committee room during Boehner's forum of House Agricutulture Committee members. Presidents filled the seats reserved for committee members during the forum.