nutcrackerThis Christmas season, there were a lot of new faces at the Nutcracker Village in Steubenville, Ohio. One of those faces was ‘Farmer,’ the nutcracker sponsored by the Jefferson County Farm Bureau. Sponsorship of this nutcracker was a plan championed by former board president, Duayne Wetherell. The food and agriculture industry is the largest industry in the state, and contributes $105 billion annually to Ohio’s economy (Farm Flavor).  Due to this, Duayne felt it was important to represent the industry and farmers by representing them at the village, right along with all of the other professions that are vital to our community.

During the holiday nutcracker display, Farm Bureau, via its Facebook page, invited people to take a picture with the nutcracker and suggest a name for him. Several names were suggested, but the community quickly coalesced behind ‘Farmer Fred’ in honor of Fred Silvestri of the Silvestri Farm in Rayland, Ohio. Fred passed away in August 2017. Even Fred’s wife, Mae, came down to the village and had a picture taken with the then nameless Farmer. Many people posted to share fond memories of Fred Silvestri and his pumpkin farm. Fred was a long-time farm bureau member, and was a past member of the Jefferson County Farm Bureau Board of Directors.

At the Feb. 1, 2018 meeting of the Jefferson County Farm Bureau, the board of directors voted unanimously to name the nutcracker “Farmer Fred” in honor of Fred Silvestri.

If you’d like to meet the ‘Farmer Fred’ nutcracker in person, he stands guard in the county office on Bantam Ridge Road in Wintersville for the rest of the year — except for Fair week, when he can be found visiting the Farm Bureau booth in the Commercial Building, and Sept. 9 he will visit Aladdin Land for the bureau’s Annual Dinner Meeting.

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
Kevin Holy's avatar
Kevin Holy

Geauga County Farm Bureau

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
Farm Bureau connections
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.
Ryanna Tietje's avatar
Ryanna Tietje

Henry County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau connections
Giving farmers a voice
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.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
10-year campaign for safer roads
Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman's avatar
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman

Henry County

10-year campaign for safer roads
Bringing the farm back to life
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
Farm Bureau involvement
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.
Hannah Kiser's avatar
Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau involvement
Select Partner Program
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.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
Advocacy
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
Suggested Tags: