OCA Officers
President • Aaron Arnett 614-947-9931, aaronarnett16@gmail.com Vice President • Kyle Walls 740-485-7775, kylemwalls@gmail.com Treasurer • Linde Sutherly 937-875-0670, linde@lindeslivestockphotos.com Past President • Sasha Rittenhouse 937-215-1415, hotcattle@hotmail.com
OCA NEWS & VIEWS
Thankful for volunteers By Aaron Arnett, OCA President
OCA Directors
Tom Karr Director At-Large Pomeroy • Term expires 2021 740-597-9900, tom@karrcontracting.com Bill Tom Director At-Large Washington C.H. • Term expires 2023 937-694-5378, btom@uproducers.com J.L. Draganic Director At-Large Wakeman • Term expires 2022 440-821-6576, paintcreekcattle@gmail.com Jaymes Maciejewski District 1 New Bavaria• Term expires 2023 309-222-0850, jaymes.maciejewski@gmail.com Kelvin Egner District 2 Shelby • Term expires 2021 419-295-6089, kjegner@hotmail.com John Ferguson District 3 Chardon • Term expires 2022 440-478-0782, john@fergusonshowcattle.com Mark Goecke District 4 Spencerville • Term expires 2023 419-233-3101, goeckefarms@gmail.com Frank Phelps District 5 Belle Center • Term expires 2021 937-539-1442, frankph@watchtv.net Pam Haley District 6 West Salem • Term expires 2022 419-853-4657, phaley@haley-farms.com Brad Thornburg District 7 Barnesville • Term expires 2023 740-310-9196, thornburgcattle@yahoo.com Linde Sutherly District 8 New Carlisle • Term expires 2021 937-875-0670, linde@lindeslivestockphotos.com Jim Jepsen District 9 Amanda • Term expires 2022 614-560-5919, jepsen.drfarms@gmail.com Sarah Ison District 10 Moscow • Term expires 2023 513-314-5382, sarah.ison01@gmail.com Lindsey Hall District 11 Hillsboro • Term expires 2021 937-763-8115, lindseycgrimes@gmail.com Luke Vollborn • District 12 Bidwell • Term expires 2022 740-441-5740, vollborncattle@yahoo.com 6 | Ohio Cattleman | Late Fall Issue 2021
As I write this article at the close of another hot day, I know many producers and their cattle await the cooler weather on the horizon starting this latter part of September. We were fortunate to have ample moisture right through the late summer in Northcentral Ohio and things are currently as green as I can recall in September. One of the highlights of late summer for OCA was the Cattlemen’s Gala youth scholarship fundraiser event held the last weekend of August. We are excited to report that through the hard work and generosity of many staff, volunteers, donors and attendees, nearly $50,000 was raised for the Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation to award scholarships to college students of OCA-member families. While the temperature was hot, so was the bidding on a variety of live and silent auction items. Thank you to everyone who attended and purchased items. Because of fundraising efforts from previous years, even without the Gala in 2020 due to COVID-19, the Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation awarded its full slate of scholarships last year. If you are interested in attending next year’s Gala, please be watching for details on dates and location early in 2022. Everyone is welcome and both OCA members and non-members are encouraged to attend and contribute. On behalf of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, I want to use part of my column space this month to thank all the volunteers who help make this organization succeed. We are fortunate to have many talented members and industry friends who are continually willing to contribute their time and skills to a cause greater than themselves. For example, the BEST program is one of the featured youth cattle show circuits in the industry and it would not be possible without the many volunteers, often investing their entire weekends at these shows. The Ohio Beef Expo is the undisputed envy of beef industry trade and cattle shows in the Midwest. Many volunteers are working hard behind the scenes year-round to make the Expo possible. OCA conducted three Calving Clinics so far this fall and we appreciate the partnership with Ohio State in bringing this very popular and useful member service to OCA members at no charge. The calving simulator was at the Farm Science Review this year and we appreciate the volunteers from the Board and OSU helping during this event. These are just a few examples of the volunteer contributions that help make OCA-sponsored events flourish. Volunteerism is imperative for the success of this non-profit organization. If either you or your cattlemen’s group is interested in becoming more engaged in OCA events as a volunteer, please contact a Board member or the OCA office. If you have been a member of OCA for at least a year and want to engage at an even higher level, there are several Board positions up for election/re-election this fall. Please reach out to us regarding the nomination process if you are interested in helping determine the direction of Ohio’s Beef Industry through OCA Board leadership. This is a fresh reminder that membership renewals and voting for OCA Board seats are now electronic. Instead of a paper renewal and ballot, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on logging into the membership portal to cast your vote or renew your membership. While this method might seem daunting to some, I assure you it is easy, secure and saves both time and money. Also, remember that your membership is now good for one calendar year from the date of renewal and there is no longer a membership renewal “season.” If you have any questions about the process, please contact the OCA office and a representative will be happy to assist. Best wishes for a continued safe and prosperous harvest season.
