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Farm bureaus hold awards dinners

The Farm Bureau organization, both Jefferson and Harrison counties, put on great annual meetings, with dinner included each year, and I have the privilege of attending both.

There are some differences in the fact that the Harrison County group has more farmers, plus they have John Birney, who was conspicuous by his gleeful absence. Jefferson County has many gardeners and fewer farms, but the younger families bring some really adorable children along.

Michele Specht, organization director of both counties, plus Carroll and Tuscarawas, had Madison and Paige Somerville and Gage and Leila Cable passing out goodies to all in attendance. They were from the pizzelle sisters, Linda Freed and Debra Latynski, and were in chocolate, vanilla, lemon, one that looked like a slice of watermelon — not sure of the flavor — and a caramel-colored one. It might have been peanut butter, but I had the vanilla one.

At the Harrison County event, held at the Scio Fire House, where there are some really good down-home cooking folks, they had a pizzelle beside each plate.

Todd Piergallini and his daughter, Cassie, have great meals as well. Because of the American Farm Bureau endorsed book about the tiny globes known as peas, both meals included peas. Todd had baked chicken with peas and a pea salad that was super. The VFD cooks had a hot vegetable of peas, corn and carrots in a flavorful sauce.

John Seleski, who always wears a magnificent smile, introduced the many guests present, including many of the county government officials.

Michelle was highly praised by the state officials at the Harrison County event. She and Jennifer Barnett, office administrator, do wonderful jobs of putting on the annual meeting events. Jeanne Roberts should be included in the Jefferson County one.

Frank Burkett, new OFB president, spoke in Jefferson County, along with Jerry Lahmers, state trustee, and  Adam Sharp, OFB executive vice president, spoke in Harrison, along with Mike Boyert, state trustee.

Burkett is a dairy farmer in Stark County, a 1977 Ohio State University graduate who returned home to milk 140 cows and now has expanded that to 700 cows and 900 acres.

“Ohio has farms of all sizes and types, such as livestock, gardening, dairy, conventional farming, organic farming, Christmas tree, honey and many others. America feeds the world,  and Farm Bureau tries to work with them,” he said.

“Membership is the life of our organization, and your commitment is what makes it what it is today. Never believe that only a few caring people cannot change the world,” he said.

Sharp said, “There is now a youth membership for $25. It is important to get youth involved. The average age of Iowa farmers was 58 years old  years back and is now 53 years. Younger people are getting involved.”

He praised Specht for being a Farm Bureau warrior with a positive and enthusiastic attitude about the organization.

“Bill Swank, former OFB official, is on top of Farm Bureau, a strong supporter even though he has been out for 20 years. Vision is important for the future, and in less than three years, the bureau will be 100 years old. We need to be here for agriculture for the long run,” Sharp said.

“Twenty years ago Americans thought that food came from the grocery store. They don’t think that anymore. They think we are farm factories where we abuse our animals and destroy the ground. Don’t tear down the farmer, support his work,” Sharp said.

John Seleski presented the hall of fame award to Myron Dawson, who grew up on a farm in Mingo, served in the Army from 1954-56 and was deployed to Panama with the 714 3rd Armor Division. He came back to dairy farming on 380 acres of his 488 acres of land, with his family working alongside him. Many of his family members were present, including his wife, Lillian,  and Yale, Joan and Drew Dawson and Peggy, Mike, Brent Smith and Stacey Smith.

Of special significance were the awards of distinction presented to Sam Cunningham for 2015, received in 2016 because the award was established in December, too late for an annual meeting, and  George Mizer for 2016.

This is a state award for those in the farming industry and continued Farm Bureau members.

Cunningham is a 65-year member who was named to the county Hall of Fame in 1994. Mizer hosted a farm tour of the land with his brother, Dave; has visited Washington, D.C. to talk with legislators about agriculture; is an action team leader; and is now serving as vice president.

Mary Paul and Anise Rocchi were named outstanding educators from Harrison North. They took their students for a hike to learn about the ecosystem of the area at Dysart Woods and have studied natural resources as part of the project.

After drawing some names for door prizes, Specht decided to present the Dawson couple with a restaurant door prize; Bob Stewart, who had served as a state trustee, received a gift certificate; Joyce Brown, a breast cancer patient who has gone through six chemotherapy and 25 radiation sessions and surgery and lost her hair two times, with a pink “Hope” travel mug; and Bailey Everhart received a gift certificate for being the first teen Farm Bureau member and his sister, Riley, being the second.

John Lovejoy won a free Farm Bureau membership.

The Jewett Fire Department received a grain bin rescue tub for saving the life of someone trapped in grain. Russ and Kevin Arbaugh of Jewett accepted the life-saving piece of equipment for the department. The Harrison Central FFA, with Don Jones as instructor, made the presentation.

(McCoy, a resident of Smithfield, is food editor and a staff columnist for the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times. She can be contacted at emccoy@heraldstaronline.com.)

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