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For the first time in its more than 100 year history, Ohio Farm Bureau’s annual meeting will largely be held remotely across the state Dec. 7-11, 2020.

“We know for so many of our members the annual meeting is much more than just a meeting. It’s a celebration of our organization,” said Adam Sharp, Ohio Farm Bureau executive vice president. “This year will be much different than our delegates and members have enjoyed over the past century, but like many things happening this year, we had to adapt to today’s challenges.”

The yearly face-to-face gathering of members from all around Ohio is prohibited by orders from the Ohio Department of Health limiting indoor gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this first-of-its-kind annual meeting is free to attend and allows members to get involved as much as they choose from the comfort of their home, physically together with other delegates from their county or while they are working on the farm.

The new format will enable many Ohio Farm Bureau delegates to join together in small groups throughout Ohio and connect with other delegates around the state through a virtual platform as they vote on policies and leadership.

This year’s remote experience also will recognize the organization’s exciting accomplishments and will give even more Farm Bureau members an opportunity to take part in the programs.

Delegate and Business Sessions

The major components of the annual meeting, the delegate and business sessions, will take place Dec. 11, with the organization focusing on presentations of awards and recognition online earlier in the week .

“While the delegate and business sessions will be done remotely through secured systems, we will work hard to have full engagement with everyone involved through this crucial democratic process for our organization,” said Ohio Farm Bureau President Frank Burkett. “Even though this approach is not meant to be the new normal, Ohio Farm Bureau looks forward to a successful 2020 annual meeting, and our membership will be stronger on the other side of these adverse times.”

To participate

Use this link to access the comprehensive annual meeting website.

Agenda highlights

Those interested in attending the 2020 Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting can do so remotely beginning with addresses from Ohio Farm Bureau and Nationwide to kick off a weeklong OFBF Member Celebration beginning Monday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.

Other points of interest throughout the week will include state board trustee elections, delegate sessions from various regions of the state, recognition of county award winners and Young Ag Professionals awards. Distinguished Service Award winners Tim Corcoran, Yvonne Lesicko and Becky Cropper also will be honored Thursday at 7 p.m.

The business portion of the annual meeting will take place Dec. 11 and will be available live for anyone who wishes to attend.

Nationwide is offering a special webinar Succession Planning Through Family Harmony Tuesday at 7 p.m.

To participate

Use this link to access the comprehensive annual meeting website.

ONLINE EXTRA

Join us on Facebook each evening to participate live with our Celebration of Members.