The Lawrence County Farm Bureau is on a mission to find some members.

Tuesday, January 29, 2002

The Lawrence County Farm Bureau is on a mission to find some members.

The organization is kicking off its recruitment drive in order to add more members and renew those who have let their membership lapse.

Jill Smith, the group’s organizational director, said there are 1,109 members in the county as of the 2000-2001 count.

The Farm Bureau, Smith said, is the largest farm organization in Ohio, representing about 200,000 people.

According to information from the agency, the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation was founded in 1919 as a coalition of Ohio farmers organizing to protect their interests. In the group’s early years, the agency worked on issues such as rural electrification, co-op purchasing of farm supplies and marketing of farm commodities.

Soon after creating the organization, leaders opted to start an auto insurance company to curb prices charged by established companies. The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation then incorporated the Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, opening shop on April 12, 1926.

In 1955, the Farm Bureau Mutual name was changed to Nationwide Insurance. Nationwide is one of the largest diversified insurance and financial service providers in the United States, with more than 16 million policies and certificates in force, serviced by more than 33,000 employees and agents.

Today, Smith said, Ohio Farm Bureau members receive discounts on their auto insurance and on other policies.

Farm Bureau also stretches its arms in the political realm. The agency’s lobbyist, Smith said, has worked on key issues such as the repeal of the estate tax. In Ohio, the Farm Bureau agency has worked on legislative issues such as placing a three-year moratorium on further land acquisition by the U.S. Forest Service in the Wayne National Forest, legislation to protect farmland, and the group has worked on legislation that would increase penalties on railroad companies when trains block intersections for a prolonged amount of time.

Smith said those interested in the organization can contact any Farm Bureau member.