Amy Butterfield

The 103rd Butler County Annual meeting was held Sept. 7, 2023 at the Princeton Road Campus. President Kathy Carmack welcomed everyone, and led the membership in the Pledge Of Allegiance. President Carmack introduced Bev Foutz for the invocation. Following the invocation, a catered dinner from Shoelaces Catering was served. The annual meeting committee conducted a silent auction with the proceeds going to the scholarship fund.

President Carmack introduced Sen. George Lang and Zach Bohannon, representative from Congressman Warren Davidson’s, office for a short report.

Policy Development Chairperson Tim Hesselbrock reported the proposed 2023 policy resolutions; copies of the approved policies for 2023-24 are available by emailing [email protected]

Vice President Barbie Casey gave the nominating committee report. Congratulations to 2023-24 President Kathy Carmack and Vice President Barbie Casey. The following members were elected to the BCFB county board for a three-year term: Barbie Casey, Larry Johnson, Alayna Garver Taylor, and Mike Truster. OFBF 2024 Annual Meeting delegates are Joe Conrad, Tim Hesselbrock and Gayle Weber. 

Awards

Jeanne Walther presented the 2023 Friend of Ag award to Families of the Butler County Century Farms. VanGorden 1807, Garner Garner Trust 1808, Alexander-McNiff Horner-Alexander Farm LLC 1809, Pumphrey-Halstead Scott Robinson Farm, LLC 1810, Richardson-Kramer-Richardson Family 1816, Krehbiel-Highland View Farm, Est. 1827 LLC 1827, Truster 1855, Brodbelt Harris-Harris Krebs Sunnyside Farm 1883, Griffith 1889, Beeler 1901, Groh 1911, Gorman-Gorman Farms 1912, Duvelius Baker Farm 1914, Hiltbrand 1914, Rosselot-Deep Creek Farms, LLC 1917,Deneler 1919, Fall Family Farm 1920, Fahner-Sunny Side Farm 1923. Eighteen of the 25 Century Farms were present to be recognized. 

Jeanne Walther presented the 2023 Sarah James Outstanding Volunteer Award to Amy Butterfield for her years of volunteer service to BCFB. Amy is pictured above.

Organization Director Christy Montoya introduced Jake Schulte who recognized the hours of service of trustees and retiring trustees. Special thanks to Lynn Eisele, Amy Butterfield, Nick Forrest and Ron Tilford. 

Kathy Carmack thanked all the volunteers and spoke of the future of Farm Bureau and the need for the younger generations to become involved. She thanked all the Century Farm families for their attendance. Ms Carmack recognized the P&E committee for their efforts researching the history of the Century farms. 

There was $1493 raised for the BCFB scholarship fund during the evening.

The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
Kevin Holy's avatar
Kevin Holy

Geauga County Farm Bureau

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
We really appreciate what Farm Bureau has done to get people interested in this line of work and workforce development and getting people interested in this industry.
Jody Brown Boyd's avatar
Jody Brown Boyd

Brown's Family Farm Market

Finding farm labor
I appreciate the benefit of having a strong voice in my corner. The extras that are included in membership are wonderful, but I'm a member because of the positive impact to my local and state agricultural communities.
Ernie Welch's avatar
Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities
We work terrifically with the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, hosting at least one to two outreach town hall events every year to educate new farmers and existing farmers on traditional CAUV and woodlands.
David Thomas's avatar
David Thomas

Ashtabula County Auditor

CAUV: Past, present and future
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
Hannah Kiser's avatar
Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau involvement
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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