CARROLLTON, Ohio – Carroll County Farm Bureau’s volunteer leaders earned the state’s highest awards for local programming during the county’s annual meeting Sept. 11.
The committee chairmen earning the awards included: John Davis, governmental/public affairs; Ken Bellamy, safety; Jean Cline, information; Todd Davis, marketing; Mary Ellen Rutledge and Pat Bellamy, membership; Ann Haley, advisory councils and young farm couples; and Vicki Caldwell, promotion and education.
Membership gain. The membership team helped boost the county’s rolls, earning active member gain as well as overall gain. Retiring president Scott Rutledge received the Golden Tractor award from the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation for the county’s membership gain accomplishments.
Statewide, Ohio Farm Bureau membership stands at 213,000. Last year marked the 34th consecutive year of membership growth for the farm organization.
State board members John Miller from Tuscarawas County and Gale Betterly from Summit County updated the local members on statewide efforts in policy and programming.
Members discussed and approved various local, state and national policy recommendations. On the local level, members back a growth and development plan for Carroll County as well as the implementation of 9-1-1 in the county. Members also supported a national estate tax limit, as well as the concept of tax-deferred risk management accounts.
Members also voted in the following trustees: Scott Rutledge, Union Township; Mike Krupzak, Fox Township Bill Burkhart, Rose Township; John Neider, Washington Township; Bob Korns, Orange Township; and Mark Lumley, Perry Township.
Scott Rutledge turned over the president’s gavel to Doyle Hawk, who introduced the 2001-02 committee chairmen: Cliff Brown, governmental affairs; Vicki Caldwell, promotion and education; Scott Rutledge, safety; Jean Cline, information; Anna Oyer, marketing; Tim Gartrell, membership; Phil Pavick, advisory councils and young farm couples; Al Logan, agricultural ecology.
Susan Crowell, editor of Farm and Dairy, was the evening’s keynote speaker.
