Friday, Dec. 7:

OFBF President Frank Burkett III and Executive Vice President Adam Sharp presented the membership and county awards at the Delegate Lunch Dec. 7.
OFBF President Frank Burkett III and Executive Vice President Adam Sharp presented the membership and county awards at the Delegate Lunch Dec. 7.

Ohio Farm Bureau Board of Trustee elections were held early on the last day of the OFBF 100th Annual Meeting. Two new trustees were elected, along with several trustees who were re-elected to their current positions.

President Frank Burkett III, Vice President Bill Patterson and Treasurer Cy Prettyman were all re-elected to their officer positions on the board. State and national policy was discussed and voted upon during the general sessions. Several membership awards and county achievement awards were announced during the annual Delegate Lunch, where Executive Vice President Adam Sharp addressed the assembled attendees at the annual meeting.

In a heartfelt speech, Sharp said he was “humbled and proud” to serve OFBF at this moment in its history.

Watch the presentations and Adam’s address:

Later tonight attendees will participate in the Centennial Celebration and a member-only concert by country star Chase Bryant at the Greater Columbus Convention Center to cap off the kickoff to Ohio Farm Bureau’s 100th year.

Thursday, Dec. 6:

All attendees to the 100th Annual Meeting paused for a centennial photo this afternoon.
All attendees to the 100th Annual Meeting paused for a centennial photo this afternoon.

A warm welcome to all who came to cold Columbus today for the kickoff of the 100th annual meeting.

A historic display that takes visitors through the history of Farm Bureau opened early as members and delegates alike converged steadily on the Greater Columbus Convention Center throughout the morning. A historical presentation by Steve Hausfeld through the Nationwide Archive and two rounds of Discussion Meet kept visitors busy, as did the popular Centennial Store selling special 100th anniversary merchandise.

The Kickoff Lunch included remarks from Nationwide CEO Steve Rasmussen and Tim Corcoran, chairman of the Nationwide Board of Directors, as well as Patricia Wolff, senior director of congressional relations for American Farm Bureau.

Young Ag Professionals winners Annie Specht (Discussion Meet), Nick and Brandi Anderson (Outstanding Young Farmers) and Adam and Jess Campbell (Excellence in Agriculture) accepted their awards. Distinguished Service Award winners – Dennis Heyob, Charles Lausin, Al DiVencenzo and James Bachmann – were also recognized.

Opening Ceremonies and the General Session commenced in the afternoon as the business of the event started in earnest, after a brief group photo (above) and ice cream break the General Session continued. Tonight’s event includes the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation’s Night Out.

Previously posted:

Ohio Farm Bureau kicks of its 100th year, and annual meeting, today in Columbus. The centennial event’s theme is Celebrating our Past, Creating our Future.  

Nearly 3,000 Farm Bureau members are expected to attend the meeting and a special centennial celebration concert on Friday. A historical museum and all convention activities surrounding the 100th year of Ohio Farm Bureau will be held at the Hilton Columbus Downtown and Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Keynote speakers include OFBF President Frank Burkett III, OFBF Executive Vice President Adam Sharp, Nationwide CEO Steve Rasmussen and Nationwide board chairman Tim Corcoran.  

Follow the event on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using hashtag #OFBF100years.

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.
Mandy Way's avatar
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.
Ernie Welch's avatar
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.
Matt Aultman's avatar
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.
Jaclyn De Candio's avatar
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.
Jenna Gregorich's avatar
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.
Jared Hughes's avatar
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.
Austin Heil's avatar
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.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy