KEY POINTS
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Such was the case for Ohio Farm Bureau State Trustee Todd Davis. He and wife, Kim, operate a family-owned cow-calf operation in the heart of Carroll County, and for years he had multiple off-the-farm careers. Most recently he retired from serving as director of Ohio FFA Camp Muskingum.
“We just didn’t take many vacations with the kids,” he said. “Now that I’m retired, it’s amazing.”
He and Kim have taken advantage of the Ohio Farm Bureau Travel Program, exploring Ireland in 2024 and Alaska this summer. Davis calls the member benefit one of the organization’s best kept secrets.
“Not as many people know about it as they should,” he said, noting that the pacing of the tours is very manageable. “You actually feel like you are on vacation; that’s the beauty of it. Everything is taken care of and you have plenty of time to explore on your own. We never felt rushed.”
A fascination with World War II and a desire to honor the sacrifice of thousands who landed on the beaches of Normandy 82 years ago led Davis to suggest the program’s next offering to France in March 2027.
D-Day was the largest amphibious invasion in history that happened in a critical time during World War II against Nazi Germany. It is remembered every June 6, the day of the invasion in 1944, as much for its importance in the war effort as for the human cost–2,501 American troops paid the ultimate sacrifice on D-Day alone.
“It has always fascinated me,” Davis said of WWII history. Television series and movies such as “Band of Brothers” and “Saving Private Ryan” have only fueled his desire to pay homage to the sacrifice of the “18- to 19-year-old men, many who didn’t make it home, who ultimately saved the world,” he added.
Ohio Farm Bureau teams up with travel professionals for members to have the opportunity to visit these kinds of sites.
“Our travel partners Collette and Thor offer amazing experiences for our members,” said Julie Shull, Ohio Farm Bureau director of events. “We offer both leisure tours and those with a specific tie-in to agriculture. The feedback we have received has been very positive, not only about the locations and pace of these tours, but also the bonus of traveling with other Farm Bureau members.”
Davis cautioned those who may be hesitant to take advantage of the travel program benefit for whatever reason to consider doing it while they are physically capable.
“It is important to do things while you’re healthy, because you never know when that can change,” Davis said.
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