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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 were honored at the 2023 Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting.

“From giving exclusive access to local decision-makers, to leadership development, to getting teachers and their students excited about agriculture, these programs encompass many of the goals of Ohio Farm Bureau,” said Paul Lyons, vice president of membership with Ohio Farm Bureau. “This year’s winners are just a few examples of the great programs developed by members at the local level and each one adds value to the communities and to our organization as a whole.”

2023 Innovation Award winners

Ashtabula: Mental Health Dinner Theater

Ashtabula County Farm Bureau created a three-act play depicting farmer stress that encouraged discussion about mental health issues while motivating attendees to take greater health and safety precautions.

Auglaize, Logan, Mercer and Shelby: Farm Bureau Agriculture Leadership Program 

This program put a specific focus on agriculture issues in the four-county area, while providing participants opportunities for team building, goal setting, networking and sharing the value of Farm Bureau in the community.

Crawford: Planting the Seed for the Future of Agriculture

This was an ag literacy and advocacy event from Crawford County Farm Bureau and Crawford County Cattlemen. A nationally known author and a social media influencer shared agriculture with multiple audiences and showed community members many ways to become advocates themselves.  

Jackson-Vinton: Making Quality Assurance…Fun!

Giving the mandatory Quality Assurance meeting for Junior Fair participants a turn on its head was the goal for Jackson-Vinton Farm Bureau. County board members led hands-on activities for 275 youth in attendance, and parents were required to attend, which generated new Farm Bureau memberships for the county.

Lucas: Policy and Pancakes

For the Policy and Pancakes annual meeting, Lucas County hosted a farm to table breakfast at a local greenhouse, giving members and local officials time to build relationships, while showcasing local agriculture and local foods to the guests in attendance. 

Marion: Group Member Retention Activities

Marion County Farm Bureau created new activities that were focused on letting the group membership partners know how much they are appreciated while solidifying and building stronger relationships. Group member employees also learned more about the benefits offered to them through Farm Bureau.

Mercer: Western Ohio Ag in the Classroom Teacher Workshop

This workshop, built by Mercer County Farm Bureau, was completely focused on the needs of K through 4 teachers: What they need for their classrooms, the curriculum they have to work with for their age groups, and how they like to teach concepts and ideas about agriculture.

Ottawa: I Want to Be a Farmer, but I Don’t Have a Tractor

This Ottawa County Farm Bureau program allowed youth to explore unconventional career opportunities in agriculture during a job fair at the county fair. The event reached 100 youth and their families. 

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].