COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Farm Bureau’s officers and trustees were elected Dec. 5 during the organization’s 101st annual meeting.
Frank Burkett III of Massillon was re-elected president of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, which is the highest elected office in Ohio’s largest and most inclusive farm and food organization. He was re-elected by OFBF’s board of trustees and confirmed by the delegates during the group’s 101st annual meeting held Dec. 4-5 in Columbus.
Burkett has been on the state board since 2007 as District 9 trustee representing members from Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage and Stark counties.
During his speech to the delegates, Burkett recapped the Centennial year of the organization. He shared with his fellow members how Ohio Farm Bureau will embrace a new century by forming a new committee to find ways to better serve members and strengthen the organization for the next 100 years.
Burkett is a long-time member of the Stark County Farm Bureau where he was a trustee, policy development chairman and farm tour chairman. He is a past board member for Ohio Dairy Producers Association and is a member of Rivertree Christian Church. He has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Ohio State University with a major in agricultural systems management and a minor in agricultural economics.
Burkett, in partnership with three uncles, co-owns and manages Clardale Farms, Inc., a dairy and crop farm. He also co-owns Hills Supply in Canal Fulton, servicing over 850 customers in the dairy industry.
James W. (Bill) Patterson of Chesterland was re-elected first vice president. Patterson joined OFBF’s board of trustees in 2011. He will continue as the District 4 Trustee representing Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake and Trumbull counties. He and his family raise apples, strawberries and peaches. They also have a farm market and a wholesale cider operation.
Cy Prettyman of New Bloomington was re-elected treasurer. Prettyman was elected to the board of trustees in 2012 and represents members in his district that encompasses Crawford, Marion, Morrow and Richland counties. He farms with his family, raising corn, soybeans and beef cattle. He also is a sales specialist with Purina Animal Nutrition.
The following members were elected or re-elected to the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Board of Trustees and will help govern the organization:
District 1 Trustee Chris Weaver: Defiance, Fulton, Henry and Williams Counties
District 5 Trustee Craig Polhman: Allen, Paulding, Putnam and Van Wert Counties
District 6 Trustee Paul Harrison: Hancock, Hardin, Seneca and Wyandot Counties
District 10 Trustee Mike Bensman: Auglaize, Logan, Mercer and Shelby Counties
District 13 Trustee Jerry Lahmers: Carroll, Harrison, Jefferson and Tuscarawas Counties
District 15 Trustee Michael Videkovich: Fairfield, Hocking, Pickaway and Ross Counties
District 19 Trustee John Mossbarger: Clinton, Fayette, Greene and Warren Counties
District 20 Trustee Nathan Brown: Adams, Brown, Clermont and Highland Counties
Southwest regional trustee Kyle Smith: Adams, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Darke, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Highland, Madison, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, Union and Warren Counties
Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities. Learn more at ofbf.org.
— Ohio Farm Bureau Federation
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