Another 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 2024 – 2025 program year.
However, before we can move forward, we need to take a look back at the past year and gather ideas for us to continue to serve our members. Please join us as we look over some of the 2023 – 2024 highlights . . .
Sponsored Family and Community Events
SCFB members enjoyed a multi-county Family Fun Night at the Ballpark in June.
SCFB encouraged members to participate in the annual BWC Safety Meeting.
SCFB hosted the 14 th Annual Farmers’ Share Breakfast.
SCFB sponsored a Farm Dog and a Farm Cat of the Year contests for members.
SCFB will be hosting their Annual Meeting on September 26 th at The Winery at Wolf
Creek in Copley, Ohio.
Developed Educational Opportunities
SCFB hosted three educational seminars; a CAUV Informational Meeting, a Western Reserve Land Conservancy Informational Meeting, and a Healthy Soil = Healthy Crops seminar.
SCFB awarded a “new” renewable/four year scholarship and a “new: one year Dean
Hartong Memorial Scholarship
SCFB members collaborated with the Vet Tech/Animal Science program of the Copley, Norton, Wadsworth, Barberton compact to provide students the resources to learn about their livestock course work in a practical manner.
The museum videotaped vignettes were enjoyed by visitors to the SCFB Antiques Museum during the Summit County Fair.
SCFB supported a seed matching game within the SCFB Antiques Museum during the Summit County Fair, participants selected from a variety of prizes.
Organizational announcements and agricultural information were regularly posted on the SCFB website, SCFB Facebook page and through email blasts.
SCFB funded the attendance of a member to the Ag In The Classroom Conference.
Initiated Internal Improvements
The updated Business Member Directory was mailed out to all members and added to the SCFB website.
The update Buy Local/Farm Markets Directory was mailed out to all members and added to the SCFB website.
Members received two paper newsletters, winter and summer, chock full of the organization’s activities and information.
SCFB supported a Member to Member Discount Program at participating businesses.
SCFB ran a membership campaign. The SCFB Board of Trustees initiated the annual financial review and compilation by an independent CPA for the SCFB.
The SCFB Investment Committee reviewed all investments to be sure they were performing well and made recommendations to the SCFB Board of Trustees.
Gave Back to Our Local Community
Donations were made to: Haven of Rest, Salvation Army and The Akron Canton Food Bank.
SCFB sponsored an advertisement in the Summit County Fair program/map.
SCFB participated in a multi-county fundraiser supporting the Women In Ag Conference.
Served as Advocates for Our Members
The SCFB President, Vice-President and Young Farmer attended Ag Day at the Capitol to meet with local legislatures.
The SCFB President and delegates attended the Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Columbus.
The SCFB Board Members conducted congressional incumbent reviews and open seat screenings for political candidates.
The SCFB Public Policy committee collected and reviewed policy suggestions from the SCFB members
The SCFB President traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with local representatives.
SCFB members continued to work with agricultural stakeholders in Summit County to help draft comprehensive Agriculture Ordinances.
SCFB members continued to work with the Summit County Engineer and Summit County Council to develop a fair and equitable taxation of agricultural parcels for the Summit County Surface Water Management District.
Supported the Summit County Fair and the SCFB Antiques Museum
SCFB sponsored an advertisement on the back cover of the Summit County Fair program/map.
SCFB funded a professional cleaning of the museum and contents before the Summit County Fair.
SCFB benefited from partnering with Ag Pro for a display in front of the museum during the fair, which helped defer the cost of the professional cleaning of the museum.
SCFB members volunteered to supervise the museum during the Summit County Fair.
SCFB supported our member’s 4-H children, monetary donations were given to the students in the 4-H Pen/Project Plaque Program.