Farmer’s Guide to Trucking Regulations available to Ohio Farm Bureau members
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Fred Cooke is originally from Shelby and grew up on his family’s farm located outside of town. He received his high school diploma from Shelby High School. After high school, Fred attended The Ohio State University where he received bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He is married to Lynn Cooke. Together they have three kids and several grandchildren. Besides Farm Bureau, Fred has been extremely involved in the community. He has been active with Shelby Public Health, his church, Richland County Soil and Water Advisory Committee, and the Shelby FFA where he was the previous ag teacher.
What and where do you farm? I raise chickens and grain in the Shelby area. I was also the agriculture education instructor and FFA advisor at Shelby High School until 2003.
How long have you been a farmer? I have been a farmer my entire life.
Why did you decide to be a farmer? I decided to be a farmer because I was raised as a child into farming.
What do you love about farming? I love the freedom that farming brings.
Why do you think it is important to know where your food comes from? I think it is important to know where your food comes from so you appreciate the hard work put into your food.
Why are you active (the biggest benefit) in Farm Bureau? I am active to promote agriculture.
What is your favorite Farm Bureau event or activity? My favorite Farm Bureau event is the county fair.
What Farm Bureau programs are you most active in? I am active in all of the Farm Bureau programs.
What are your hobbies besides farming? Besides farming, I enjoy fishing and spending time with my grandchildren.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? I would like to travel all around the world and see everything.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
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.
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