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The Ohio Farm Bureau Innovation Awards highlight county Farm Bureaus for their implementation of new and innovative programs within their communities. Counties that received Innovation Awards earned a $1,500 prize and were honored at the 2022 Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting.

“County Farm Bureaus take pride in service to their members and their communities,” said Paul Lyons, vice president of membership with Ohio Farm Bureau. “These amazing programs bring networking, philanthropy and grassroots advocacy to the local level, which emphasizes the value of Farm Bureau.”

2022 Innovation Award winners

Fayette: Storytime with a Farmer

Helping children learn where food comes from and who grows it was the goal of Fayette County Farm Bureau’s Storytime with a Farmer. Having farmers read books about agriculture to children at an elementary school, library and online was a highly effective way to build awareness and understanding of the industry.

Fulton: Historic 1920’s Farm Bureau Office

With its sponsorship of a Historic 1920s Farm Bureau Office, Fulton County is now part of Sauder Village and Museum’s 1920s Main Street program. To build the office, the county undertook a large fundraising effort, culminating with a concert by Girl Named Tom, the winners of “The Voice,” to reach its fundraising goal.

Gallia: Meat Your Local Butcher

Gallia County’s Meat Your Local Butcher event gave members the opportunity to meet the three county butchers and learn from a meat science professor from a local university. The professor explained common practices that are conducted in meat processing facilities and why there can be differences among local county processors.

Geauga: Amish Safety Day

Geauga County Farm Bureau joined forces with the county sheriff’s office, the State Highway Patrol, a local fire department, the local hospital, Ohio Division of Natural Resources, Soil and Water, and the county engineer’s office to provide an Amish Safety Day for the community. Geauga County is home to the fourth largest population of Amish in the state.

Henry: Shine in the Show Ring

Henry County’s Shine in the Show Ring event was an alternative livestock show for individuals with developmental disabilities partnering with Junior Fair livestock exhibitors as mentors to present livestock projects to professional judges.

Auglaize, Logan, Mercer and Shelby: What Happens in Our Barn at Night 

Auglaize, Logan, Mercer and Shelby County Farm Bureaus used the award-winning “Barn at Night” book as the basis for social media outreach to promote agriculture to the community as part of National Agriculture Week.

Carroll, Harrison, Jefferson and Tuscarawas: Check Your Engine

Check Your Engine is a program from Carroll, Harrison, Jefferson and Tuscarawas counties. It focuses on providing access to mental health services to rural communities by providing training to the employees of local businesses who interact with farmers every day.

Hancock, Hardin, Seneca and Wyandot: Women’s Agri-Intelligence Conference

Hancock, Hardin, Seneca and Wyandot County Farm Bureaus hosted a Women’s Agri-Intelligence Conference that focused on education, empowerment and the value of membership. The conference was created to be an inclusive and empowering experience for local women to connect and learn from one another.

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].