When I was hired a couple years ago, I made a promise to you and your fellow members. I would listen to what you want from your organization. The map you’re looking at is my proof of performance.
As the new CEO for this sizeable, diverse, important organization, my top priority was to connect with our grassroots, because to do my job, I had to know what you want Farm Bureau to be and do. Polls and surveys were helpful but weren’t going to fully cut it. So, I hit the road. My CORE Tour (County Outreach, Research, Engagement) was an incredible experience.
Some stats: 13,759 miles of interstates, state routes, city streets and township roads. More than 500 hours of travel and conversations. Visits with 832 members, who each hand-placed a dot on the map showing where they live. Two- to four-hour chats in homes, farm shops, diners, conference rooms and backyards. I heard from women and men, full- and part-time farmers, operators big and small, veteran and beginning farmers, ag suppliers and buyers and producers of diverse crops and livestock. 
I got the conversation rolling at every meeting with the same four basic questions about Farm Bureau: What do you like and want us to keep doing? What do we do O.K. but could be doing better and how? What are we not doing that we should be? What should we stop doing?
The thoughts, ideas, wishes and suggestions I gathered would fill this magazine several times over. But I learned that regardless of gender, age, location or enterprise, members have six common priorities: They want Farm Bureau to be a strong advocate, an effective communicator, build strategic partnerships, grow and engage members, be financially sound and excel by every measurement. We’re already on it.
Our strategic plan through the year 2020 focuses our organization on those six essential mandates, lays out our steps to attain them and establishes how we will measure success. I’m confident your Farm Bureau will evolve in a way that makes you proud. Mostly, because it was you who mapped out what we should be.
Dr. Ron Hanson helps counsel farm families to resolve conflicts while helping the next generation assure their financial future. He is a featured speaker at the 2025 Winter Leadership Experience.
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Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation recently added four new board members and elected officers of its 14-member board, which oversees the charitable, nonprofit organization.
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Grants support ag-related programming that enhances agricultural literacy efforts while creating pathways for young people to learn about ag careers.
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Now through Feb. 28, you can receive free insulation when finishing an existing pole barn interior.
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Brooke Wiseman of New Lexington will serve members in Guernsey, Morgan, Muskingum and Perry counties.
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Overcoming this stigma falls upon the shoulders of family, friends, loved ones and the broader community—and it begins with open and honest communication.
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After a lot of conflicting information, the Corporate Transparency Act is on hold and there are no deadlines.
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Through 15 scholarship funds, nearly 50 awards will be made to deserving students. The deadline to apply online is March 31, 2025.
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The bill includes short-term spending, disaster aid and a farm bill extension.
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The disaster relief funding disbursement will be overseen by the Ohio Department of Agriculture and administered through local soil & water districts.
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