Another program year is rapidly coming to an end for Summit County Farm Bureau. The SCFB’s work year begins on October 1st and ends on September 30th. The end of our fiscal and program year means it’s time for the Board of Trustees to develop a plan of work for the 2020 – 2021 program year. However, before we can move forward, we need to look back at the past year and brainstorm ideas for us to continue to serve our members.
Although most of the country has been “shutdown” for the past few months, we haven’t let that stop us. Please join us as we look over some of the 2019 – 2020 highlights . . .
Sponsored Family and Community Events
- SCFB members joined other County Farm Bureau members and their families for a night at a Cavs game in January.
- SCFB co-sponsored the annual BWC Safety Meeting.
- SCFB will be hosting a “modified” annual meeting on September 24th at The Winery at Wolf Creek in Norton, Ohio.
Developed Educational Opportunities
- The American Farm Bureau games kiosk has been enjoyed by visitors at the Ronald McDonald House of Akron.
- SCFB awarded two “new” renewable/four year scholarships.
- The museum videotaping vignettes offered a virtual tour of the SCFB Antiques Museum via the SCFB website and You-tube channel.
- Organizational announcements and agricultural information were regularly posted on the SCFB website and SCFB Facebook page.
Initiated Internal Improvements
- The updated Business Member Directory was mailed out to all members and added to the SCFB website.
- The Buy Local/Farm Markets Directory was mailed out to all members and added to the SCFB website.
- Members received two (2) paper newsletters, winter and summer, stuffed full of the organization’s activities and information.
- SCFB ran a membership campaign; hosting a membership Chili kickoff dinner and membership check-ins.
- The board initiated the annual financial review audit by an independent CPA for the SCFB.
- SCFB packed and moved their office from a shared 5 county office in Stark County to a shared 13 county office in Cuyahoga County.
- SCFB initiated the digitizing of YEARS of SCFB records.
- SCFB upgraded our mobile pancake cooker.
Gave Back to Our Local Community
- Donations were made to: Haven of Rest, Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, the Ronald McDonald House of Akron.
- SCFB sponsored an ad in the 4-H Equine (Saddle Horse) Program.
- SCFB purchased chicken and turkey from the 4-H Livestock Auction and donated the meat to the Haven of Rest and the Ronald McDonald House of Akron.
- SCFB participated in a multi-county project to purchase and process local hogs for the Akron Canton Food Bank.
Served as Advocates for Our Members
- The SCFB Vice-President, Public Policy Action Team Leader and Young Farmer went to Columbus for Ag Day at the Capital.
- The SCFB Public Policy committee collected and reviewed policy suggestions from the SCFB members.
- The SCFB President and delegates attended the Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting.
- The SCFB President and the SCFB Vice-President went to Washington D.C. to meet with local representatives.
- SCFB members are working with agricultural stakeholders in Summit County to help draft comprehensive Agriculture Ordinances.
- SCFB conducted incumbent reviews of legislators.
- SCFB conducted open-seat screenings of two candidates.
Supported the Summit County Fair and the SCFB Antique Museum
- SCFB contributed to the purchase of the Summit County Fair program/map.
- SCFB supported the 4-H livestock program with the purchase of chicken and turkey and donated the meat to the Haven of Rest and the Ronald McDonald House of Akron.
Now, what would you like to see included on the agenda for 2020 – 2021???