Posted Tuesday, Jan. 10:

After an exciting closing general session featuring keynote speakers Archie and Peyton Manning, it was down to business on Tuesday with the beginning of the delegate session. Ohio has 10 delegates at the conference – Board President Frank Burkett III and trustees Michael Boyert, Matt Bell, Chris Weaver, Mike Bensman, Lane Osswald, Paul Davidson, James Patterson, Ty Prettyman and Bill Waddle.

The IDEAg Trade Show wrapped up on Monday afternoon. Ohio was well represented at the trade show with eight County Activities of Excellence winners speaking with several convention attendees about their successful local county programming.

 

Posted Sunday, Jan. 8:

The general session of the 98th AFBF Annual Convention kicked off with an impassioned speech by American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall. Ohio Farm Bureau was recognized by AFBF with the New Horizon Award for the county water grants initiative. President Frank Burkett accepted the award on behalf of Farm Bureau.

Ohio Farm Bureau also received Awards of Excellence for outstanding achievement in all six program areas awarded to Farm Bureaus: education and outreach; leadership development; member benefits; membership initiatives; policy development and implementation; and public relations and communications.

Shelby County’s Sarah and Aaron Heilers were named among the Top 10 finalists in the Excellence in Agriculture competition. The winner will be announced at tomorrow’s closing session, which features guest speakers Peyton and Archie Manning.

All eight of Ohio’s county programs awarded County Activities of Excellence awards participated in the first full day of the IDEAg Trade Show as well.

 

Posted Saturday, Jan. 7:

So many activities, so little time. The Phoenix Convention Center was teeming with young farmers and ranchers from all over the country on Saturday as Discussion Meet, Excellence in Agriculture and Young Farmer contests got underway in earnest.

Ohio Farm Bureau attendees are proud of Discussion Meet participant Stephen Caraway of Adams County and Young Farmer contestant Craig Pohlman of Van Wert County for representing the Buckeye State well in their respective categories. Today was their final day of competition.

Excellence in Agriculture contestants Aaron and Sarah Heilers of Shelby County presented their farming story for the Excellence in Agriculture competition today. Finalists will be announced in the competition on Sunday.

Saturday also kicked off the IDEAg Trade Show with the Celebration of Grassroots Reception and ended with Farm Bureau members attending a Nationwide Reception in the evening, where OFBF past president Ken Davis of Highland County was thanked for his years of service as he retires from the Nationwide Board of Directors.

Posted Friday, Jan 6:

Many Ohio Farm Bureau members and staff are in Phoenix to celebrate this past year’s achievements and represent Ohio as Farm Bureau policy priorities are set for the coming year.

Check in on this page for LIVE updates from the desert at the American Farm Bureau’s 98th annual convention Jan. 6-11.

Eight Ohio counties will be displaying their winning County Activities of Excellence programs, and young agricultural professionals Stephen Caraway, Aaron and Sarah Heilers and Craig Pohlman will compete for national titles in the Discussion Meet, Excellence in Agriculture and Young Farmer contests, respectively.

You can also follow the action as it’s happening on OFBF’s social media through Facebook and by following the #AFBF17 hashtag on Twitter.

 

Labor has always been an issue, mainly because we are a seasonal operation. So that's a challenge finding somebody who only wants to work three months out of a year, sometimes up to six months.
Mandy Way's avatar
Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
I appreciate the benefit of having a strong voice in my corner. The extras that are included in membership are wonderful, but I'm a member because of the positive impact to my local and state agricultural communities.
Ernie Welch's avatar
Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities
I see the value and need to be engaged in the community I live in, to be a part of the decision-making process and to volunteer with organizations that help make our community better.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development
Farm Bureau involvement has taught me how to grow my professional and leadership experience outside of the workforce and how to do that in a community-centric way.
Jaclyn De Candio's avatar
Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program
With not growing up on a farm, I’d say I was a late bloomer to agriculture. I feel so fortunate that I found the agriculture industry. There are so many opportunities for growth.
Jenna Gregorich's avatar
Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
Jared Hughes's avatar
Jared Hughes

Groovy Plants Ranch

Groovy Plants Ranch
If it wasn't for Farm Bureau, I personally, along with many others, would not have had the opportunity to meet with our representatives face to face in Washington.
Austin Heil's avatar
Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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