Ohio County Farm Bureaus Bring Farmers, Others Together for Cultivating Strong Futures Conference

By Lilly Stewart

Through its annual County Activities of Excellence Awards, the American Farm Bureau Federation celebrates county Farm Bureaus for their unique, volunteer-driven programming. The counties featured here were recognized for their policy implementation program.

Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake and Trumbull (Ohio) County Farm Bureaus facilitated the Cultivating Strong Futures Conference for farmers, business owners, landowners and rural homeowners. The conference featured workshops on critical topics including alternative energy, nutrient management, farmland preservation, transition planning and farm efficiency through automation. These focus areas and workshops equipped their community members with the knowledge and resources to succeed and safeguard their farms and ranches for future generations.

County Activities of Excellence

Applications are now open for the 2025 County Activities of Excellence. Up to 24 counties will display their winning activities at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Convention in Anaheim, California, in January. County award winners receive up to four free registrations to the Annual Convention (cost of travel and housing not included) and a $4,500 stipend to apply toward the cost of travel and exhibition.

Lilly Stewart is a summer 2025 intern in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Communications and Executive departments. She is a rising senior in agricultural business at the University of Wyoming.