What the Annual Meeting Is
The Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting is the yearly gathering where the organization's members set policy, elect trustees and honor county Farm Bureaus and individuals. The most recent edition, the 107th, ran December 11 and 12, 2025, at the Hilton Columbus Downtown and the Columbus Convention Center, 401 N. High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. It is for Farm Bureau members, official delegates and guests.
How Policy Gets Made
Nearly 340 delegates from all 88 Ohio counties attended in 2025. Delegates from county Farm Bureaus discuss issues and vote on the positions that shape the organization's advocacy agenda for the coming year. Among the 2025 priorities:
- Property taxes: delegates supported reform that addresses inflation pressure on landowners, recognized the value of the CAUV program in preserving farmland, and voted to oppose eliminating property taxes entirely.
- Land use and zoning: delegates backed more citizen involvement when zoning changes are considered and stressed local control, especially over short-term rental zoning rules.
- National issues: delegates supported labeling for AI-created media and encouraged support for new and innovative uses of agricultural products.
The 2025 Schedule
Thursday, December 11
- 9 a.m.: seminars and the Young Agricultural Professionals Discussion Meet
- 10 a.m.: General Session, with an address by President Bill Patterson
- Throughout the day: policy session
- Advocacy in Action awards to Dr. Sarah Ison and Tim Hesselbrock
- Kickoff lunch, with remarks from Executive Vice President Adam Sharp and Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker, awards to the Young Agricultural Professionals state contest winners, and Distinguished Service Awards to Craig Adams, Mike Townsley and the Blanchard Demonstration Farms families
Friday, December 12
- Morning: trustee elections
- Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Breakfast
- Member Celebration honoring county Farm Bureaus and membership volunteers, with County Leader of Distinction awards to Fred Cooke (posthumously), Marvin Dietsch, Steven Knollman and Michele Miller (posthumously)
Trustees Elected in 2025
| District | Trustee |
|---|---|
| District 1 | Nate Andre |
| District 5 | Craig Pohlman (re-elected) |
| District 6 | John Bolte (re-elected) |
| District 10 | Matt Schmerge |
| District 13 | Todd Davis |
| District 15 | Mike Videkovich (re-elected) |
| District 19 | Nicol Reiterman (re-elected) |
| District 20 | Evan Davis |
| Southwest Region | Steve Berk (re-elected) |
Who Can Attend and How to Register
Registration for delegates and for spouses and guests goes through county Farm Bureau offices. For the 2025 meeting the deadline was November 11.
Questions
Can a non-member attend?
The meeting is for members, delegates and guests, and registration runs through the county Farm Bureau.
Who decides policy?
The delegates, who vote on positions brought up from county Farm Bureaus.
Who do I contact?
Your county Farm Bureau office, or the contact form at ofbf.org/contact.
Official Links
- 107th Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting: schedule, venue and registration
- Trustees elected at the 107th annual meeting: delegates and elections
- Ohio Farm Bureau sets policy priorities for 2026: delegate policy discussion
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Ohio Beef Expo
The Ohio Cattlemen's Association hosts the Ohio Beef Expo at the Ohio Expo Center, with seedstock sales, youth steer and heifer shows and a trade show. Held each year; the most recent dates were March 19-22, 2026.
- Franklin County Fair
Franklin County hosts its fair in Hilliard over seven days in late July, with harness racing alongside the 4-H Junior Fair program. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 20 to July 26, 2026.
Hilliard, OH | Organizer: Franklin County Agricultural Society Official event details - Ohio State Fair Junior Swine Show
Junior purebred gilts show July 30 and junior market barrows show August 6-7 in the O'Neill Swine Barn, with barrows weighed between 220 and 290 pounds. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 28 to August 9, 2026.
- Ohio State Fair
The Ohio State Fair runs twelve days at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, with junior livestock shows and the Sale of Champions. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 29 to August 9, 2026.
717 East 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211 | 888-646-3976 Official event details - Ohio State Fair Sale of Champions
The Sale of Champions closes the Ohio State Fair with junior grand and reserve champion livestock selling on the final Sunday. Held each year; the most recent date was August 9, 2026.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.