It’s hard to believe that another year is coming to an end – and very quickly too. The Summit County Farm Bureau’s work year begins on October 1st and ends on September 30th. That means it is time for the Board of Trustees to develop a plan of work for the 2015 – 2016 year.
However, before we can move forward, we need to look back at our projects and activities, evaluate them, and look for new opportunities to continue to serve our members.
Please join us as we look over some of the 2014 – 2015 highlights…
Sponsored Family and Community Events
Many of our members enjoyed a Family Fun Day at the Akron Zoo in August and a night at a Rubber Ducks baseball game in June.
SCFB sponsored the 7th annual Farmers’ Share Breakfast in March.
SCFB held a Legislative Breakfast for members and public officials in March.
SCFB co-sponsored the annual Nationwide Agents Golf Outing in June.
SCFB co-sponsored the annual Nationwide staff luncheon in April.
SCFB supported the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation auction.
SCFB co-sponsored the annual BWC Safety Meeting in March.
SCFB will be hosting the annual meeting on September 24th at Chenoweth Golf Club in Akron.
Developed Educational Opportunities
The American Farm Bureau games kiosk was enjoyed by visitors at the Norton Branch Library, the Portage Lakes Branch Library, Dayton Nurseries, and the Akron Zoo.
SCFB financially supported the Ag Mobile’s visits to many county schools and camps.
SCFB sponsored a number of educational seminars:
– Pruning Your Small Fruits
– Oil & Gas Update
– Healthy Soil
– Land as Your Legacy
– Pipeline Informational Meeting
SCFB awarded 5 “new” renewable/four year scholarships.
SCFB sponsored Summit’s Plow 2 Chow, where food “producers” and food “consumers” were connected to raise awareness of agriculture and the origins of their food.
The museum videotaping vignettes were enjoyed by visitors during the Summit County fair.
Organizational announcements and agricultural information were regularly posted on the website and Facebook page
Initiated Internal Improvements
The updated Business Member Directory was mailed out to all members and added to the website.
Members received two paper newsletters, winter and summer, stuffed full of the organization’s activities/information.
SCFB ran a membership campaign; hosting a membership kickoff dinner, a number of membership check-ins, and a membership recognition dinner.
SCFB initiated a Code committee to review and make recommendations to update the current code and by-laws.
The board initiated the annual financial audit by an independent CPA for the SCFB, as well as the Ag Mobile.
Gave Back to Our Local Community
Monetary donations were made to: Haven of Rest, Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, the Ronald McDonald House of Akron, Salvation Army, The University of Akron Bass Fishing Club.
SCFB sponsored an ad in the 4-H Equine Program.
SCFB purchased the Reserve Champion hog from the 4-H Livestock Auction and donated the meat to the Haven of Rest.
SCFB representatives attended the Haven of Rest open house in November and a tour of the Akron Canton Food Bank in December.
Summit’s Plow 2 Chow was able to reach their goal, donating $6,000.00 to the Ronald McDonald House of Akron.
Volunteers are planning to pass out free sports bottles to visitors of the Akron Marathon on September 25th
Served as Advocates for Our Members
SCFB initiated contact with legislators to address the increase in CAUV taxes.
SCFB President, Public Policy Action Team Leader, and Young Farmer went to Columbus for Ag Day at the Capital in February.
SCFB President and delegates attended the Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in December.
SCFB President went to Washington D.C. to meet with local representatives in March.
SCFB Vice-President went to San Diego CA for the American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in January.
SCFB trustee went to Nashville to attend the American Farm Bureau Fusion Conference and present our Summit’s Plow to Chow event.
Supported the Summit County Fair and the SCFB Antique Museum
SCFB contributed to the purchase of the Summit County Fair program/map and assisted in the Ag-venture game during the fair.
SCFB funded a professional cleaning of the museum and contents.
SCFB purchased 5 TV’s to display the videotaped vignettes of the museum contents during the fair.
SCFB supported the 4-H livestock program with the purchase of the Reserve Champion hog.
A pancake breakfast was served to the 4-H participants and their families at the Summit County Fair.
A large number of volunteers supervised the museum during the Summit County Fair.