Wayne Co. FB applauds Sautter, sheriff

WOOSTER, Ohio — Wayne County Farm Bureau and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department will kick off a new campaign during the Wayne County Fair.

The “My Home, My Neighborhood” campaign is intended to encourage county residents to get to know their neighbors and keep an eye out for them and on their property.

During the 2008 Wayne County Farm Bureau annual meeting, Sheriff Tom Maurer told farm bureau members about the new program.

He explained that the highly successful neighborhood watch program lost some momentum when computer assisted dispatch systems were introduced to law enforcement officials almost three decades ago.

But Maurer contends that the secret to the success of the dispatch program goes back to good information from people in the community, including those who report suspicious activity.

“We are encouraging you to get to know your neighbors,” Maurer said. “We want you to know who lives in your neighborhood and what cars belong there”

As part of the program, the Farm Bureau provided funds to help print educational materials about the program, including a card for residents to fill out with neighbors’ and emergency phone numbers to keep near the phone.

Members of the Farm Bureau will help distribute information about the program at the Wayne County Fair.

For his efforts on this and other safety programs benefiting farmers, Maurer was awarded the county’s Friend of Agriculture award.

Hot topics

Livestock welfare issues were also a hot topic in the county during 2007. As part of the county Farm Bureau’s efforts to educate farmers on best management practices for caring for their livestock, they, along with Ohio State University Extension, Wayne County, sponsored a meeting on livestock best management practices.

Their efforts earned them a bronze award in the communications area from the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and also earned communication action team chairman Greg Sautter the 2008 Distinguished Service award.

Sautter ha served as a member of the board of trustees, worked on the membership campaign, served as a delegate to the OFBF annual meeting and as chairman for various program areas for the county.

Policy

During the meeting, members approved county policies supporting the education of the motoring public on sharing the road with agricultural equipment, reducing the deer population by identifying processing facilities and organizations that would use the meat, and working with the county auditor to educate property owners on property evaluations.

Also approved are policies on property owners’ rights and how to appeal a property valuation, and working with the sheriff’s department to promote and implement a crime prevention program and anti-bullying program in local schools.

Members approved state policies supporting programs and educational materials to assist farmers in making management decisions to offset the high costs of energy inputs, establish recycling programs for farm materials, educate legislators and their staff on the difference between livestock and companion animals, apply savings rates similar to major industries for worker’s compensation programs, work with Ohio Department of Agriculture to strengthen programs to protect farms from terrorist activities, and support renewable energy sources and policies.

Members approved national policies supporting the increase of domestic energy production, production of nitrogen and fertilizer, amend the IRS code to allow the deduction of 100 percent of health insurance premiums, shorten the national election process and reestablish horse slaughter facilities in the U.S.

Elected

During the meeting, Laura Gordon, Lindsey Shoup and Elizabeth Shoup were recognized as recipients of the county’s scholarship awards.

Elected to the board of trustees were Matt Stoll, Mark Slicker, Judy Wolf, Jane Alexander, Lester Miller and Tim Kelling.

Serving as delegates to the 2009 OFBF annual meeting will be Matt Stoll, Randy Tegtmeier, Tom Machamer, Greg Sautter, Roger Baker, Duane Leaman and Susan Mykrantz. Alternates are Dan Fry and Matt Vodraska.