The 2018 annual meeting of the Geauga County Farm Bureau was held recently at the Banquet Room at St. Mary’s in Chardon. This year marked the joining with Geauga SWCD for its annual meeting, which resulted in a wonderful night of “honoring Ohio agriculture!”

The evening began with a social reception. This was the opportunity to speak with elected officials and candidates running for public office, a very active part of Farm Bureau, working closely with our legislators.

After “Our Harvest Dinner” and some Farm Bureau elections and voting on policy resolutions to be worked on in 2019,  the Geauga County Farm Bureau and SWCD took time to honor some very special members and guests.

Two family farms were recognized as Ohio Bicentennial Farms: the Clarke/Sudyk farm and the Haskins/Cook farm. Janelle Mead, deputy director with the Ohio Department of Agriculture, presented each family with a certificate from the state of Ohio.

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Five outstanding Farm Bureau members and college students were recipients of the 2018 Leadership Awards: Joshua Loveland, Anna Montazzoli, Meghan O’Reilly, Anna Sevich and Tim Steimle. A major effort of the Geauga County Farm Bureau is to use our financial resources to support the future of agriculture.

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Over the past few years, Ohio Farm Bureau has created a Member of Distinction award, giving each county the opportunity to recognize an outstanding member.  This year, Craig Sirna, was selected in Geauga County.  A Farm Bureau member for over 15 years, Craig is the owner of Sirna’s Farm & Market and Sirna’s Pizzeria along with his wife, Anne, where they make pizza in the “farm to table” style.  A retired police officer of 34 years and first-generation farmer, Craig and his family entered farming in 1997. Craig’s passion has been building the community around him and he devotes his time to many causes. He is everyone’s friend and sacrifices his time to lend others a helping hand.  

SWCD Special Awards included Thomas Kartley, Hay & Grain Best of Show; Dan Best, Big Tree Winner; Poster Contest winners: Michael Yeager, Caroline Yeager, Josselyn Mumm, Zoe Virant, Elizabeth Passow, Leah Bass and Ava Morano; and Teacher of the Year, Amy Hochschild.

Mandy Orahood, our organization director, thanked our Farm Bureau Action Team Leaders: Todd Montazzoli and Kevin Holy – Organization, Jerry Mitchell – Public Policy and Craig Sirna – Membership Coordinator. These dedicated volunteers are the hands of the organization.

We are looking forward to 2019, working together with county organizations, offering great programs and services to our members and our communities!

OFBF Mission: Working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities.

Farm Labor Resources
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.
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Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
Strong communities
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.
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Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities
Leadership development
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.
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Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development
Young Ag Professionals program
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.
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Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program
Growing our Generation
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.
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Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

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

Groovy Plants Ranch

Groovy Plants Ranch
Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
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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Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
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.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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