Monday, Jan. 8

This morning’s closing General Session features the announcement of the Young Farmer and Rancher competition results, the Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge Awards, remarks from Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, and keynote speaker Reba McEntire. Watch live at noon Central time.

This afternoon, President Donald Trump will address the group. Watch live at 3 p.m. Central time

At the conclusion of his remarks, Trump signed two executive orders to expand access to broadband internet in rural America. Read more

Trump Executive Orders
President Trump signs two executive orders to expand broadband access in rural America.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greg and Rose Hartschuh from Crawford County won the national Excellence in Agriculture competition. Details

Sunday, Jan. 7

Greg and Rose Hartschuh of Crawford County are Top 10 finalists in the Excellence in Agriculture competition. Final results will be announced Monday during the General Session.

Danielle Burch of Columbiana County did not advance to the Final Four in the Discussion Meet. Congratulations to all Young Agricultural Professionals contestants.

New Horizon 2018
OFBF President Frank Burkett, left, accepts the New Horizon Award from AFBF President Zippy Duvall.

Ohio Farm Bureau won the New Horizon Award for innovative programming among Farm Bureaus of similar size. Ohio was recognized for the creation of the Blanchard River Demonstration Farms Network in the Western Lake Erie Basin–a five year, $1 million partnership with USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service to demonstrate new and current on-farm conservation practices to help improve water quality and nutrient management.

Ohio also earned all six Awards of Excellence for programming in Advocacy, Engagement and Outreach, Leadership and Business Development and Membership Value. Read American Farm Bureau’s awards recap.

Watch the General Session Live 9:30 a.m. Central

Watch the Excellence in Ag, Discussion Meet Final Four Announcements 5 p.m. Central

At the American Farm Bureau Foundation breakfast, state Farm Bureaus were recognized for exemplary financial support of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture.

Ohio was among six state Farm Bureaus receiving the Scholar Award, which recognizes states with the highest total donations to the Foundation within their membership groups.

The Foundation’s Book of the Year was also announced. Tracy Nelson Maurer’s “John Deere, That’s Who!” describes a young blacksmith’s quest to design a better plow.

Saturday, Jan. 6

Excellence in Agriculture winners Greg and Rose Hartschuh made their competition presentation this morning at 9 a.m.

Greg, Rose Hartschuh
Greg and Rose Hartschuh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discussion Meet winner Danielle Burch competed in the first two rounds of the Discussion Meet.

Danielle Burch
Danielle Burch. Photo by AFBF.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Update: Danielle is a Sweet 16 finalist and will compete Sunday afternoon.

Excellence in Ag finalists announcement is Sunday at 5 p.m.

Ohio Farm Bureau is proud of the efforts of Outstanding Young Farmer Christian Hoffman. Today was his last day of competition.

The IDEAg Trade Show opened this afternoon and the day ended with a reception for members hosted by Nationwide, with remarks from Nationwide board member and past Ohio Farm Bureau president Brent Porteus and Nationwide CEO Steve Rasmussen.

Posted Friday, Jan 5:

Many Ohio Farm Bureau members and staff are in Nashville 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 Music City at the American Farm Bureau’s 99th annual convention Jan. 6-10.

Seven Ohio county Farm Bureau projects were chosen to participate in the County Activities of Excellence program, and young agricultural professionals Christian Hoffman, Greg and Rose Hartschuh and Danielle Burch will be competing in the national Young Farmer, Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet contests, respectively.  

Speakers in include Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall and Reba McIntire. President Donald Trump is also scheduled to speak.

You can also follow the action as it’s happening on OFBF’s social media through Facebook and by following the #AFBF18 hashtag on Twitter.

Our partner, Nationwide, is a sponsor of this event.

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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