Collegiate Young Farmers History
2014-2015
Constitution
Collegiate Young Farmers History
HISTORY OF THE OHIO STATE UNVERSITY YOUTH COUNCIL
By: Dr. Charles H. Ingraham
1998
This paper is based upon records I have including; minutes, attendance records, copies of letters, and published articles.
From an article by Jack Jennings, Ohio Farm Bureau in the June, 1948 issue of The Nations Agriculture: “The first Farm Bureau group ever organized on any university campus was the University Farm Bureau Youth Council at Ohio State. ---
Beginning the first Saturday in November 1947 and continuing each alternative Saturday evening, they hammered out their constitution and by-lays. --- Darwin R. Bryan, state Farm Bureau Youth and Recreation Director, gave assistance to the group. --- On February 20, 1948 they completed the task and elected their first officers. --- By secret ballot nomination and election they chose the following officers; Charles Ingraham, Route 1, Rushville Vice President; Jane Rector (Phillips), Route 3, Rossford, Treasurer.
---.”
My first recollection of the University Farm Bureau Youth Council was in the fall of 1942 when Darwin Bryan, Ruth Van Gordon, Butler County, Jean Ritenour, Pike County and I, met to discuss the possibility of organizing a Youth Council on the O.S.U. campus. Others with experience in county, district, and state Youth Council meetings joined with us during the fall quarter of 1942. I have no knowledge of any activity by this group after the fall of 1942 as I and many others left OSU for our military duty. The meetings were held at the Ann Tweedale house, a female cooperative house of the Rochdale Student Cooperative, Inc. a 1938 outgrowth of the OFBF Youth Council program.
Starting the first Saturday in November 1947, fifty or more students interested in organizing a Farm Bureau Youth Council met on alternate Saturday evenings. The meetings were held on the third floor of the old Ohio Union, now Enarson Hall and the Wesley Foundation.
A portion of each meeting was devoted to developing the constitution and by-laws. These are developed by the group as a whole and written section by section on a blackboard and discussed and decided upon in a democratic manner. I believe that one of the factors that contributed to the early success of the University Farm Bureau Youth Council was the democratic procedure in which the constitution and by-laws were formulated and first amended on November 13, 1948. Thanks to the leadership of Darwin Bryan of the OFBF.
Miss. Eva Kinsey, Assistant State 4-H Club Leader and Mr. Jess Amsbaugh of the Business Office of the Cooperative Extension Service were selected as the first faculty advisors.
The earliest copy of the constitution and by-laws that I have is dated 11/13/48 and states; “the objective is to promote cooperative relationships among members and to continues our association with Farm Bureau. This objective shall be fulfilled through the study of the cooperative movement, group recreation and discussion.” Membership was open to students in any college.
The council program not only consisted of business and discussion sessions, but was filled with group activities consisting of ballroom and square dancing, play parties, informal dramatics and group singing led by student members. There was no shortage of member leadership in the organization.
The University Farm Bureau Youth Council was not welcomed by all in the Agriculture College. In February 1947 written application was made for membership in the All Agriculture Council considered the members of the new University Farm Bureau Youth Council to be communists. Some are of the opinion the leadership of the University Grange did not want Farm Bureau on campus.
As president of the University Farm Bureau Youth Council I wrote several letters to the president of the All Agriculture Council requesting a response to our membership application. In my letter of July 10, 1948 I wrote; “I’m sure you can understand m unwillingness to act on an oral report given by a person who is not a member of your group or a member of the committee from your group to handle this matter.” I have yet to receive a reply. From the minutes of our November 13, 1948 meeting; “Dean (Wilbur) Wood suggested that we write a letter to the All Agriculture Council demanding action on our application for membership in the council.” Even that did not get a reply.
At our last meeting in February 1949 several of us started the action that resulted in the University Farm Bureau Youth Council becoming a member of the All Agriculture Council. That meeting was held on the third floor of the old Ohio Union.
The action was well planned and organized. The OFBF legislative agent was to be the speaker. The plan was to get one or more members of the All Agriculture Council to attend this meeting and to say why our application for membership had not been approved. At least one did attend and during the business meeting was asked several planned questions that got him to say that the reason for out not being granted membership was that the president and a few members of the All Agriculture Council considered us to be communists. Farm Bureau was promoting cooperatives and in their opinion cooperatives were communistic, therefor we must be communists.
There was at this time a bill in the state legislature for funds to build a new dairy building for the College of Agriculture. A hearing was scheduled for this funding bill the next Tuesday. Some are of the opinion that Farm Bureaus support of this funding bill, was necessary to get it passed.
For whatever reason, the next Monday morning, Chester Hutchinson, Assistant Dean, of the College of Agriculture and advisor to the All Agriculture Council took an interest in our application for membership. On Monday morning, four of us; Bob Smithers, Rose Mary Barr (Lower), Jean Daniel (Stoltz) and I were called out of class to report at once to Dean Hutchinson.
Dean Hutchinson told us if the University Farm Bureau Youth Council would make a minor adjustment to its objective their application for membership would be approved. We agreed to present his suggested changes to the membership and were confident they would be accepted. (OFBF supported the College’s request for funding at the hearing and Vivian Hall was built.) The constitution as amended 3/5/49 reads: “Then the objective of this organization shall be (1) to bring together those programs interested in continuing the activities of the County Farm Bureau Youth Council on the college level, and (2) to sponsor and encourage worthwhile educational, social programs of interest to rural youth in the University. These objectives shall be fulfilled through democratic participation and discussion in educational, social and recreational programs.”
Article X was added to the by-laws entitled, All Agriculture Council, “the representative to the All Agriculture Council shall have at least a Junior standing in the College of Agriculture. This representative shall be elected by a special election at the last regular meeting in February.”
Carroll Christopher of Pataskala elected the first representative to the All Agriculture Council.
Second year officers elected November 13, 1948 were; Bob Smithers, Lucas County, president; Jean Daniel (Stoltz), Belmont County, vice president; Rosemary Barr, (Lower), Fairfield County, secretary; Wayne Hadley, Trumball County, treasurer.
One of the earliest major functions conducted by the University Farm Bureau Youth Council was the Gingham Gallop. This was held in the Men’s Physical Education building on the campus of The Ohio State University to bring together not only college students, but also County Farm Bureau Youth Council members and leaders interested in developing their recreation leadership ability. The all day event provided classes and opportunities for developing skills for leading dancing, play parties, dramatics, public speaking, quiet games, etc. Members of the University Farm Bureau Council provided the instructions, assisted by Darwin Bryan and Bruce Tom. An evening square dance climaxed the day long program.
Among the early fund raising activities were a lunch stand in the H and F Building during Farm and Home week, box specials and monthly square dances. At some dances music was provided by an orchestra made up of Council members.
A major portion of each meeting was devoted to discussion. Discussion topics were selected by the group. At most meetings a guest speaker presented the topic, small groups discussed the topic and each group reported back. The council was never lacking for capable leaders.
Process to Become a Member:
Collegiate Young Farmers of The Ohio State University maintains an open membership policy. Any student of OSU is welcome to join CYF at any time during the school year. In order to become a member, students must attend a meeting and pay a $10.00 yearly membership fee, or an $8.00 fee for one semester. Maintenance of membership requires participation in the majority of quarterly meetings and activities.
Contact Information:
Faculty Advisor / Denny Hall / / 614-292-4188President / Abigail Fuhrmann / / 740-981-6393
Vice President / Katherine Wolfe / / 330-312-1422
Secretary / Monica Pennewitt /
Treasurer/Fundraising / Garrett Clark /
Public Relations / Monica Pennewitt /
CFAES Student Council / Kristi Walker /
Farm Bureau Liaison / Katherine Wolfe / / 330-312-1422
CONSTITUTION OF THE
COLLEGIATE YOUNG FARMERS
AT THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
As of 11/22/05 Revised 12/9/54, 11/8/56, 1/22/64, 10/23/69, 12/4/74, 10/19/77, 5/13/86,
6/2/94, 2/02, 10/27/04, 04/30/11, 05/08/12, 3/12/14, 4/12/16
Article I – Name
The name of this organization shall be: Collegiate Young Farmers at The Ohio State University.
Article II – Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be:
- To provide members with the opportunity to participate in group reaction, educational programs, community service projects, leadership development, and other activities.
- To cooperate with other organizations on campus in developing activities of mutual interest.
- To familiarize members with and to maintain cooperative relations with the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and other agricultural organizations.
Goals:
a. To educate students about current agricultural issues and topics that concern their future agricultural careers, by hosting monthly speakers in the profession.
b. To provide students with the opportunity to voice their opinions on current agriculturally related issues, and experience a simulation of a farm bureau advisory board; to share club members’ ideas on the farm bureau facebook page.
c. To provide a learning and social community for agriculture students so they may grow in their profession.
d. To implement campus-wide educational event concerning an agricultural topic of interest to the agricultural community and consumers.
e. To better serve the agricultural community at Ohio State by assisting with and sponsoring a forum to discuss current agricultural related issues (The Earl McMunn Contemporary Issues in Agriculture Forum).
f. To spread awareness of our organization, and increase student interest in learning about agricultural issues, by increasing our membership to 30 members.
g. To organize an educational and enjoyable team and career building event for club members, with the potential to connect with a similar organization of another university.
Article III – Membership
Membership in Collegiate Farm Bureau at The Ohio State University shall be open to all OSU students who are interested in furthering the purposes of this organization. Membership shall become effective when dues are paid. No individual(s) shall be denied membership due to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, age, handicap, or Vietnam-era veteran status.
Article IV – Requirements
The officers of this organization shall be students of this university either undergraduate or graduate, shall be a member in good standing* for at least one semester prior to elections, and shall have 2 semesters remaining before graduation at the time of election to be eligible for office. The elected officers shall be: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Chair, Farm Bureau Liaison and College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Student Council Representative. The Executive Committee will consist of these officers.
* A member in good standing is a dues paid member that has a cumulative grade point average of a 2.0 or greater.
Article V – Representative(s)
The elected representative(s) shall be: Farm Bureau Liaison.
Article VI – Amendments
The constitution may be amended at a regular business meeting by a 2/3-majority vote. Quorum is necessary. (See Article V of By-Laws)
BY-LAWS OF THE
COLLEGIATE YOUNG FARMERS
AT THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
Article I – Duties of Officers
President: The President shall preside at all meetings and abide by campus regulations in governing this organization. The President shall also be in charge of reserving the meeting place.
Vice President: The Vice President shall act in the absence of the President and shall be the coordinator of all standing committees. He or she shall serve as the Parliamentarian and shall Chair the Executive Committee meetings.
Secretary: The Secretary shall be responsible for and maintain all records and correspondence of this organization including submission of minutes to the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. He or she shall organize and be responsible for informing members of meetings and other events. The Secretary will also make available a roster consisting of all the member’s phone numbers and addresses.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be responsible for and maintain the financial records at each meeting, and shall pay all approved bills. He or she shall prepare a budget and submit it at the last meeting of spring semester for approval.
Public Relations Chair: The Public Relations Chair shall maintain the scrapbook by taking pictures of Collegiate Farm Bureau activities regularly. He or she shall be in charge of printing and distributing flyers announcing meetings and activities.
College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Student Council Representative: The College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Student Council Representative shall attend all the meetings of the CFAES Student Council. He/she will report at each meeting as to what went on at the CFAES Student Council meeting.
Farm Bureau Liaison: The Farm Bureau Liaison shall be responsible for leading a discussion on a given agricultural topic at each meeting, with prepared discussion questions, thoughts and ideas (simulating an Ohio Farm Bureau Advisory Council).