2016 Annual Meeeting

Yvonne LesickoYvonne Lesicko, Ohio Farm Bureau vice president of public policy, passed away June 18 from an unexpected medical issue.

Information regarding arrangements is now available. Calling hours will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday, June 25 at Schoedinger Funeral Home, 6699 N. High St, Worthington, OH 43085. A private service for immediate family only will take place Friday, June 26 at 10 a.m. It will be streamed online. Visit the Schoedinger website where you can also read her obituary

Below is a letter from Adam Sharp that is being emailed to members. 

Remembering Yvonne Lesicko

Last Friday I shared the very sad news that Yvonne Lesicko, Ohio Farm Bureau vice president of public policy, passed away. I wanted to provide you with information about calling hours, funeral arrangements and a very special way to help us pay tribute.

Calling hours will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday, June 25 at Schoedinger Funeral Home, 6699 N. High St, Worthington, OH 43085. A private service for immediate family only will take place Friday, June 26 at 10 a.m.  It will be streamed online. Visit the Schoedinger website to learn more and read her obituary.

This loss to our Farm Bureau family has hit us hard. Yvonne’s impact on our organization is immense. As you know, Farm Bureau’s policy development process means our positions on issues start with members and their county Farm Bureaus, then on to Ohio Farm Bureau and finally American Farm Bureau. This means that the policy positions Yvonne worked to advance were the result of a very involved process that is perhaps the greatest aspect of our century-old organization. Her work literally helped tens of thousands of members, every day of the week.

But of course Yvonne did this work with a dedicated team of Farm Bureau staff colleagues, board members, county leaders and indeed members everywhere. This is where she shined the most as a professional: connecting with people, communicating about our work and inspiring us all to do better. 

Memorial Fund

I’m very proud and pleased to share with you the Yvonne Lesicko Memorial Fund established by her family with the help of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation. This fund was established to support the causes and initiatives that she cared so deeply about, including but not limited to, farmer mental health, women in leadership, agricultural and environmental policy and youth scholarships. 

I’ve heard from so many members and friends who wished to share their condolences with Yvonne’s family. You can email your condolences to [email protected] or mail them to the following address and we will be happy to pass them to the family.

Lesicko Family
c/o Ohio Farm Bureau
P.O. Box 182383
Columbus, OH 43218-2383

Thank you for helping us remember Yvonne,

Adam

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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