A Message from our President, Peter Schanz
– reprinted from the 2014 Summer print newsletter*
There has been a lot of emphasis placed on the word sustainability in the last few years and it has finally caught up with agriculture. It seems to me that everywhere you look sustainability is being addressed in some fashion or another.
We can look at it in the commodities that are represented in our profession, in our communities, our school systems, our government, and even in our daily lives – what is it that keeps things going and what do we do to keep it moving forward?
Our organization is no different from any of the myriad of other things we question when it comes to sustainability.
Last year, Ohio Farm Bureau leaders brought to our attention that we as an organization, that is, THE VOICE OF AGRICULTURE, need to make some changes in order to continue to serve our members as the foremost Agricultural representative of the collective farming community.
At our State Annual Meeting last December, the delegates voted to appoint a committee consisting of one farmer from each district to serve on a code committee to review the situation and make a recommendation for a proposed code change which will be presented to the member delegates at the next annual meeting.
Whatever the outcome from this body, remember that in order to move forward we have to make an educated choice regarding how we proceed. Let’s hope that the proposal and the subsequent choices we make continue to reflect those ideas that keep our organization not only strong, but also keep it representing those ideas that are in the best interests of farmers throughout the state.
We look to you our members, both active (farmer) and associate (non -farmer), who support our role as agriculture’s voice to continue your support of the organization. We in turn will make every effort to keep you informed and help educate you on where food comes from and how we will continue to provide the safest and least expensive, locally grown food available for your use. I encourage each of you to attend our annual meeting this September and to take an active part in the organization.
We have been fortunate to receive a grant from the American Farm Bureau to use for an exciting fund-raising project benefitting the Ronald McDonald House while raising awareness of agriculture in Summit County we are calling PLOW TO CHOW. This dinner was served at the Boughton Farm on July 17, 2014, and was offered on a limited basis to the first 120 persons who purchased a ticket.
Cost per plate was $100 or $700 per table. The event began with a farm tour led by our host, Richard Boughton, and was followed by a six-course meal, complete with wine pairings, prepared outdoors on the farm by Chef Johnny Schulze of Zydeco Bistro. The meal was served on china, including crystal commemorative stemware for wine. Food was prepared from locally grown commodities found in Summit and surrounding counties. Representatives from each commodity group were on hand to describe each course as it was presented.
In conclusion, I want to let you know it has been my privilege to serve as your President these past three years, but I have decided not to seek re-election. I will continue to serve on the board for as long as you want to keep me, but I feel that the rigors of the President’s office requires someone who is a few years younger and better able to handle the duties associated with the position.
In the meantime, I hope to see you at the Farm Bureau Museum during the Summit County Fair held the last week in July.
Pete Schanz, President
Summit County Farm Bureau
*The Summit County Farm Bureau mails out a print newletter to each of its more than 1,000 members each year. To become a member, apply online here.