Applications for Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans now available
Members have three ways to apply: contacting a certified agent, calling 833-468-4280 or visiting ohiofarmbureauhealthplans.org.
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Delegates from Ohio’s 86 county Farm Bureaus, special guests and honorees are meeting in Columbus Dec. 6-8 for Ohio Farm Bureau’s 99th annual meeting.
Follow Ohio Farm Bureau on Twitter and Facebook for updates.
Wednesday, Dec. 6
The semi-final rounds of the Young Agricultural Professionals Discussion Meet were held. Eight contestants competed on the topics:
- Farmers are a shrinking percentage of the population. How can Farm Bureau help first-generation farmers and ranchers get started in agriculture?
- How can farmers and ranchers maintain their buying power with the continued trend of input supplier and provider consolidations?
Competitors:
Amanda Barndt, Wood County
David Glass, Ross County
Jacob Hoelscher, Darke County
Clint Lease, Seneca County
Casey Ellington, Stark County
Seth Middleton, Shelby County
Annie Specht, Tuscarawas County
Karl Wedemeyer, Marion County
Discussion Meet Round 2 begins…#OFBF17 pic.twitter.com/akQjvhJpkP
— Ohio Farm Bureau (@OhioFarmBureau) December 6, 2017
Four finalists will be announced Thursday, Dec. 7 during the Harvest Banquet.
Update: Finalists are Casey Ellington, Stark County; Jacob Hoelscher, Darke County; Seth Middleton, Shelby County; and Annie Specht, Tuscarawas County. They will compete in the state finals Feb. 2 as part of the Young Agricultural Professionals Winter Leadership Experience. Conference registration is open through Dec. 15.
Thursday, Dec. 7
The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation recognized several scholarship recipients who were able to attend the Kickoff Breakfast.
OFBF President Frank Burkett, III gave his annual address. Watch his speech.
Delegates are making their way through the state policy development process. Learn more
OFBF Executive Vice President Adam Sharp addressed delegates and guests at the Delegate Lunch. Watch his speech.
Trustee elections take place this afternoon. County Farm Bureaus, membership volunteers and Distinguished Service and Agricultural Educator awards will be presented at the evening’s Harvest Banquet.
Congratulations to Distinguished Service Award winners Ken Davis, Highland County and Fred Finney, Wayne County and Agricultural Educator Award winner Shirley Boyd, Franklin County.
Friday, Dec. 8
Delegates set the policy agenda for the coming year.
Frank Burkett was re-elected OFBF president, Bill Patterson was re-elected first vice president and Cy Prettyman was re-elected treasurer.
Jenny Cox was elected southeast regional trusteee.
Al DiVencenzo was re-elected District 3 trustee.
Roger Baker was re-elected District 8 trustee.
Katherine Harrison was re-elected District 11 trustee.
Bill Waddle was re-elected District 14 trustee.
Al Miller was re-elected District 17 trustee.
Lane Osswald was re-elected District 18 trustee.
To grow a network and gain perspective and knowledge in the industry through personal and professional development has been invaluable. Every day I learn and grow.
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
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