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A year after a new “value first” pilot project was launched in 12 northwest Ohio county Farm Bureaus to test an alternative field staff structure, Ohio Farm Bureau is expanding this successful concept across 24 northwest Ohio counties.

After a yearlong evaluation, with input from members, staff and leaders, Ohio Farm Bureau will continue the modern organizational principles of the pilot project, which include leading with the value of Farm Bureau when promoting the organization, creating new approaches to acquire and retain members while designing a more individualized experience for them, and testing a new staff delivery model to meet Ohio Farm Bureau’s overall goals. The expanded area for the project now includes Allen, Auglaize, Crawford, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Logan, Lucas, Marion, Mercer, Morrow, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Shelby, Van Vert, Williams, Wood and Wyandot counties.

“The concepts created through this project are doing what they were designed to do,” said Paul Lyons, vice president of membership with Ohio Farm Bureau. “Simply put, they deliver expertise on topics and issues that Ohio Farm Bureau focuses on every day and convey the tangible value that membership with Farm Bureau gives our members and their communities.”

With the increasing footprint of the pilot project come promotions for the organization directors involved in the expanded area.

Abra Dunn adds business solutions specialist to her organization director title in Crawford, Marion, Morrow and Richland counties. Her work will now include the task of helping members find the potential within their operation, learning from experts and discovering new business opportunities to optimize the profit potential of the farm. These tools include a multitude of services from Farm Bureau partner Nationwide, workforce recruitment and retention, and the Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan, to name a few.

Emily Stevens has been named organization director and leveraging trends specialist for Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood counties. Her focus will be on providing the latest trends and issues so members are ready for what’s next, using and promoting resources like Nationwide’s Ag Insight Center, AFBF Market Intel and Ohio Farm Bureau’s Ag Intelligence Service.

Kirsten Kemner has been named organization director and member service specialist for Hancock, Hardin, Seneca and Wyandot counties. Her role includes growing membership numbers and involvement by building relationships with individual members, local agribusinesses and group members by delivering county and Ohio Farm Bureau value-added programming resources that meet their unique needs.

The new ideas for the pilot project stem from a feasibility study conducted by Ohio Farm Bureau, as well as focus groups held across the state last year and input from Ohio Farm Bureau’s state board of trustees. All research indicated a need for more specialized member services at the county level.

“What we do on an everyday basis has always been about the members and giving them more opportunities for growth,” Lyons said. “This structure allows them to use their Ohio Farm Bureau membership to find success on their own operations and the chance to become involved in the organization in new, exciting ways in the future.”

Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities. Learn more at ohiofarmbureau.org.

This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Ty Higgins, 614-246-8231 or [email protected].