2026 Geauga County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting highlights

Geauga County Farm Bureau held its 2026 Annual Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, at Patterson Fruit Farm in Chesterland. President Bob Rogish presided over the evening, welcoming 148 members, local officials, and guests. Social hour began at 5:30 p.m., followed by an invocation offered by Kevin O’Reilly and dinner catered by group member 2 Nonni/Guido’s.

Board of Trustees were voted on and elected. Those elected to the board were Jeanne Jefferson, Kristen Sirna, Carmella Shale, and Kay Ruck. Sara Lehman and Rick Welder were elected to serve as delegates for the Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in 2027, with Hannah Deliere serving as first alternate.

Farm Bureau members voted on local policies that guide our county Farm Bureau and established policy positions for submission to the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. State delegates will vote on these proposals at the 2026 OFBF Annual Meeting in Columbus, Dec. 10–11. Adopted policies and discussion topics included:

  • Land Use & Subdivision: Establishing a reasonable limit on the number of lots between 5 and 20 acres that may be created from a parent parcel without requiring a formal major subdivision plan, and preserving the rural character of local communities.
  • Data Center Siting & Taxation: Supporting responsible data center development prioritizing non-agricultural land or brownfields, opposing tax incentives or abatements for data centers, and requiring developers to protect rural water quality and bear all electric grid infrastructure costs.
  • Property Tax & CAUV Protection: Supporting a comprehensive overhaul of Ohio’s property tax system while opposing the outright elimination of property taxes to protect local Extension, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and emergency services.
  • Agricultural Education & Veterinary Shortages: Encouraging research into non-chemical weed management practices (such as AI-assisted lasers and robotics), expanding sales tax exemptions to forestry equipment, and supporting priority admission for in-state students at land-grant veterinary schools to address the large animal veterinarian shortage.
  • Commercial Transportation & Maple Industry: Supporting reporting requirements for commercial truck driver non-conformances to improve rural road safety, and advocating for U.S. EPA approval of isopropyl alcohol as an approved sanitizer for food-contact maple sap collection systems.

Organization Director Mandy Orahood recognized lawmakers evaluated by our county Farm Bureaus and the Ohio Farm Bureau Agriculture for Good Government Political Action Committee (AGGPAC) for their strong support of farm families, honoring Rep. Sarah Fowler Arthur (House District 99), Vic Sandhu and Samantha Salmon (Candidates for House District 35), Mike Roberto (Candidate for Senate District 27), and Congressman David Joyce (District 14). Pictured left to right: Bob Rogish, Geauga Farm Bureau president; Vik Sandhu, candidate for Ohio House D35; Mandy Orahood, organization director.

Pictured left to right: Bob Rogish, Geauga Farm Bureau president; Mandy Orahood, organization director; Rep. Sarah Fowler Arthur, House District 99.

Pictured left to right: Bob Rogish, Geauga Farm Bureau president; Mandy Orahood, organization director; Congressman David Joyce.

Kristen Sirna presented scholarship awards to support local agricultural and higher education pursuits, recognizing Campbell Reese, recipient of $2,500; Tatum Poff, recipient of $1,500; and Taylor Poff, recipient of $1,000.

Pictured left to right: Kim Poff, mother of Taylor and Tatumn and Campbell Reese.

Special recognitions and awards presented during the evening included:

  • Distinguished Service to Agricultural Education Award: Presented by Kevin O’Reilly Jr. to John Oros, Executive Director of Geauga Park District and President of the Agriculture Career Education Academy (ACE), honoring his leadership and mentorship in vocational education.

Pictured left to right: Kevin O’Reilly, Geauga Farm Bureau and John Oros, award recipient.

  • Bicentennial Farm Recognition: Presented by Katie Williams of Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District to Moseley Farm Inc. in Thompson, a 6th-generation farm established on Nov. 10, 1810.
  • Outgoing Board Member Recognition: Outgoing trustee Kevin Holy was recognized for his more than 10 years of dedicated service and leadership on the Board of Trustees.

Pictured left to right: Bob Rogish, president; Kevin Holy, award recipient; Mandy Orahood, organization director.

Volunteers were recognized for signing new and renewal memberships. Volunteers who signed 1 new or winback member were Carmella Shale, Catherine Wolcott, Craig Sirna, Kevin O’Reilly, Hannah Deliere, Jeanne Jefferson, Kevin Holy, Kristen Sirna, Bob Rogish, Bob Sage, Sara Lehman, and Ty Kellogg. Custom farm signs were awarded to volunteers signing 2 or more members, and gift cards were awarded to Craig Sirna, Catherine Wolcott, Kristen Sirna, and Bob Rogish for signing 5+ new and winback members. Top signer Ambassador Level honors went to Kristen Sirna and Bob Rogish for signing 10 or more new or winback members.

Pictured left to right: Front Row- Hannah Deliere, Catherine Wolcott, Kevin O’Reilly  Back Row- Kristen Sirna, Sara Lehman, Carmella Shale, Kevin Holy, Dee Belew, Jeanne  & Al Jefferson, Ty Kellogg, Amy Rogish, Bob Rogish Drawing winners included Jim Teichman (Bogg Bag), Bonnie Wolfgang (SMV sign), and Kathy Johnson (free membership).

A silent auction was held, raising $930 to support county programming and scholarships.

The annual meeting was also a celebration of the work our members, volunteers, and staff put into representing our Mission Statement: “Working together with Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities.”

New and beginning farmers
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Greg McGlinch's avatar
Greg McGlinch

Darke County Farm Bureau

Growing Tomorrow Grant
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
Nathan and Jill Parriman's avatar
Nathan and Jill Parriman

Clermont County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Youth pathways in Farm Bureau
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
Wyatt Morrow's avatar
Wyatt Morrow

Clinton County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
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

Select Partner Program
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

Advocacy
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

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