Photo Provided State Rep. Don Jones, R-Freeport, addresses Belmont County Farm Bureau members. The bureau is conducting its annual membership drive.

BARNESVILLE — Belmont County Farm Bureaus recently held its annual membership kickoff with over 180 members in attendance.

State Rep. Don Jones was the speaker for the evening. Jones highlighted the agricultural issues currently in the state legislature as well as legislation he is sponsoring on agricultural concerns.

There are over 2,100 farm bureau members in the Belmont, Guernsey, Monroe and Noble county area, and the membership continues to grow. If you would like more information on farm bureau or to join, call the office at 740-425-3681; Belmont County President Mike Burkhart at 740-425-3834; Belmont County Membership Chairperson Sarah Galavich at 740-238-6265 or visit Ohiofarmbureau.org.

Senior Organization Director Betsy Anderson said, “We welcome everyone into Farm Bureau, from those that grow our food to those that consume the great products produced.”

Farm bureau membership benefits were highlighted as well as county events and programs from this past year.

Belmont County Farm Bureau is a grassroots membership organization that works to support our county’s food and farm community. Belmont County Farm Bureau members have a forum to discuss current issues impacting agriculture, food production and the community. There are opportunities throughout the year to meet with public officials to implement these ideas, and the farm bureau staff advocates on members’ behalf at the local, state and national levels. Learn more at belmont.ofbf.org.