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“They asked me to head up the campaign and asked me to hit a goal, so I started calling people and telling them all the things that membership can offer them.”

As the new year begins, Ohio Farm Bureau county volunteers and staff begin working diligently on their county membership campaigns. Hear from Alicia Weaver, a Wyandot County Farm Bureau YAP member about her experience working membership. 

About Alicia 

I grew up around farming and agriculture. I started dating my now husband just after high school. He farmed for a living, bought and sold used equipment as well, and did some excavating and tiling on their farm as well. I won the Murray Lincoln Award in 2025, an award given to a Farm Bureau member who signs 50 or more new members during the membership campaign. I am also currently serving on our county Farm Bureau board as the secretary. 

Membership value 

I think my Farm Bureau membership has given me a platform to be active at the county and state agriculture level. As a health restoration coach, I want to be a voice to advocate for the mental health of our men and women in ag. I suffered for years with anxiety and depression and know firsthand how your internal health impacts your mental health.

Local level 

I help our local businesses advertise on our Farm Bureau county fair T-shirts as well as in our grassroots newsletter. These advertising opportunities are available to those wanting a group membership for Farm Bureau. It’s been a way to help local small businesses and farms advertise their businesses and support the exhibitors at the Wyandot County Fair. I have also been a liaison for small businesses and farms to help them understand what Ohio Farm Bureau offers in health care and advocacy. 

National level 

Winning the Murray Lincoln Award secured me a trip to the American Farm Bureau convention. It was a pleasure to meet so many people who were driven to understand policy being implemented and advocated for. There were farmers and ranchers from all across the U.S. having discussions about what policy could and should come next. They also discussed how policy changes their operations for the better and worse. I’ll admit policy makes my head spin sometimes, so having the opportunity to ask questions and hear other people’s questions answered helped tremendously. 

My advice for anyone that has an interest or passion in helping Ohio Farm Bureau’s membership grow is to remember why you joined and find others that want to join for the same reasons.

Upcoming Events/Deadlines

You are invited to attend your county membership kickoff meeting! Find local event details through the county Farm Bureau office.