SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Farm bureau branches in Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky were among just 24 nationwide recognized by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) for their respective programs related to agriculture.

Each of the selected farm bureau organizations received the “County Activities of Excellence Award” and illustrated their programs during the 106th annual AFBF convention Jan. 24-29 in San Antonio.

About a half dozen representatives from Berrien County Farm Bureau in Michigan showcased their award-winning “No Farmer, No Fair Food” exhibit.

The exhibit, set up during the Berrien County Fair the past three years, gives people, especially children, a chance to learn about the role agriculture plays in the creation of corn dogs and other popular fair foods.

Berrien County Farm Bureau President Ed Kretchman said the branch’s promotion and education committee came up with the idea for the exhibit, not to win any contest, but to educate the public in a fun manner.

“Recognition never really enters into it but it’s awful nice, though, when you’re recognized for your efforts,” he said.

The exhibit inside the Ag Expo building during the fair is a roughly 50-foot-by-20-foot maze with a walking path created from hay stacked three bales high on each side.

People making their way through the maze encounter about a half dozen stations.

Each station depicts the image of one fair food item such as a corn dog, elephant ear, ice cream cone, caramel apple or beef tips.

A written explanation at each station is also provided that the food along with the ingredients came from a farm. There’s also specific information on things like how milk in the ice cream came from a cow and flour used to make an elephant ear was milled from wheat grown in a field.

There’s interaction at each station with a volunteer answering questions. 

“It’s just a way to connect consumers to the fact that the fair food they’re enjoying is made or grown by farmers,” said Sarah Pion, the Michigan Farm Bureau southwest regional manager. She works with farm bureau branches in Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, Van Buren and Kalamazoo counties.

Since not as many people live on farms nowadays, Pion said it’s important to teach children about the work involved in producing food, so they don’t believe it just magically appears in stores and other places.

“It’s because of agriculture that we have those treats at the fair,” she said.

At the end of the maze, there’s a corn pit sitting about 18 inches off the ground for children to lean over and reach into. They can simply touch the kernels or grab one of the toy tractors in the pit and run it through the corn.

“Kids have a good time playing in it,” Kretchman said.

There are also bales of hay near the pit for parents to sit on and rest a while.

Pion said nearly 3,000 children went through the maze during last year’s fair.

One other farm bureau branch in Michigan from Saginaw County was recognized for its farm and semi-truck tire recycling program.

Farm bureau branches in Bourbon, Hopkins, Laurel and Woodford counties in Kentucky also received awards. Woodford County, for example, was recognized for a two-day rodeo to support local youth programming and raise awareness about agriculture.

Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) President Eddie Melton said close to 400 KFB members went to the conference to celebrate the recognition for each of the branches.

“Exceptional engagement like this from our members is typical in all we do. I am so pleased to see our volunteer leaders be recognized for their hard work,” he said.

In Ohio, farm bureau branches in Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake and Trumball counties were awarded for their combined efforts at hosting a conference that addressed pressing issues facing farms, businesses and rural households in an ever-changing agricultural landscape.

Branches in Crawford, Marion, Morrow and Richland counties were recognized together for their use of a manure pit safety simulator to train first responders and farmers in rescue missions. Franklin, Hardin, Holmes and Pike counties were awarded individually for their respective farming related programs.

Each of the winning farm bureau branches were personally given a certificate by AFBF President Zippy Duvall, who commended the volunteer driven programs.

“The county leaders responsible for these award-winning programs are committed to supporting rural communities and helping their urban neighbors better understand agriculture,” he said.