COLUMBUS, Ohio — Those who have thought about joining the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) now have a little more incentive to give it a try.<br>
OFBF is offering new members an opportunity to join the organization through 2008 for just $35. The rate reflects a savings of up to 50 percent.<br>
“This is a fantastic deal,” said Janet Cassidy, OFBF director of membership marketing. “It’s an opportunity for new members to test-drive the organization at a reduced rate.”<br>
She said membership provides access to a variety of benefits and savings, including legislative representation on important issues including renewable energy, private property rights, wildlife control and ATV trespassing; access to legal information; and industry information through a subscription to Buckeye Farm News newspaper.<br>
Members may also take advantage of leadership, community involvement and networking opportunities.<br>
Membership funds help finance the promotion of agricultural to consumers through the Our Ohio magazine and television series. One of Farm Bureau’s goals is to look out for farmer interests in a structured policy development process and legislative work.<br>
Members can benefit by a variety of savings of goods and services, including the Nationwide family of home and car insurance, access to individual health plans through Medical Mutual of Ohio, $500 cash rebate from Dodge, 25 percent discount on Sherwin Williams paint; savings on major hotels and car rentals and much more.
A complete listing of membership discounts and benefits can be found online.<br>
“Our members include a wide range of folks with farming interests,” Cassidy said. “From one acre to 10,000 acres, we’ve got something for everyone.”<br>
While membership is open to anyone, even those without strong agricultural ties, only active members are permitted to create policy and vote on issues.<br>
Active members are engaged in farm production; those not engaged in agricultural are associate members.<br>
For more details, visit GrowWithFB.org or call 888-GrowWithFB (888-476-9948). Members may give a Farm Bureau membership as a gift.<br>
The OFBF has 87 county chapters; each county has its own board of directors and committees. OFBF is governed by a 26-member board of trustees who are elected by delegates from the member county organizations.<br>
Ohio Farm Bureau was founded in 1919 when Ohio farmers felt the need to organize themselves for the betterment of their livelihoods. In its early days, Farm Bureau worked on issues such as rural electrification, group purchasing of farm supplies, marketing of farm commodities and insurance.<br>
The vision of OFBF is to create a partnership between farmers and consumers. There are more than 230,000 members statewide, making it Ohio’s largest general farm organization.