The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
AGRICULTURE ADVOCATE
Homegrown farmer Bill Patterson takes helm of Ohio Farm Bureau
The Patterson Fruit Farm family is continuing its legacy of leadership in the farming industry.
Bill Patterson, president of the Geauga County-based business, recently was elected the 25th president of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation — the highest elected office in the state’s largest and most influential farm and food organization.
“It’s just an absolute incredible honor to be able to represent 85,000 total members and 68,000 farmer members,” he said.
He has served on the Bureau’s state board since 2011, was the organization’s first vice president — for the past five years — and previously was treasurer. He is a 26year member of the Geauga County Farm Bureau and will continue to serve as the District 4 trustee representing Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake and Trumbull counties.
His father, Jim, is a past president of OFBF and his grandmother, Iona, served as a Bureau trustee.
“There’s a heritage piece of service to Ohio agriculture,” Bill Patterson said.
All in the family
Patterson Fruit Farm comprises three properties totaling about 150 acres in Chester Township.
It employs roughly 170 people in the fall and 20 in the off-season.
Bill Patterson and brother Dave are sixth-generation farmers.
The fourth generation — their grandparents — created the current business model of bringing people out to the farm in the 1950s.
The business consists of raising apples, strawberries and peaches, and producing maple syrup. The agritourism operation includes a farm market, bakery, fall Fun Fest, pick-your-own apples and strawberries, and a wedding venue. They also wholesale apple cider throughout Northeast Ohio.
Bill Patterson’s main role is managing the farm market and wholesale side of the business. His brother is in charge of Fun Fest and growing.
“My dad always said, ‘(Dave) grows it, I sell it,’ “Patterson said.
He received his bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Ohio State University. He also is a graduate of Ohio’s Leadership Education and Development Program.
On a mission
The Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working on behalf of farmers statewide to advance agriculture and strengthen communities.
“We need to represent the 10,000 acre farmer as well as the backyard farmer, to make sure they’re able to do what they do in a safe, effective manner,” Patterson said.
His duties will include engaging day to day with other farming leaders, working on goals and talking policy to further agriculture in Ohio.
“The biggest issue facing farms is getting people to understand what we’re doing,” he said, noting that farmers want regulations based on science vs. emotion.
Patterson’s goals as president include building relationships with legislators, consumers and the general population in an effort to educate them about industry needs.
“It’s the divide between the consumer and farmer that causes confusion,” he said, referring to issues such as pricing and the use of pesticides.
Farming future
The most important goal of any farmer is to enable the next generation the opportunity to farm, he said.
He and his brother have four children between them, from middle school to high school age.
“Our goals aren’t for them to farm; our goal is if they want to farm, to (be able to) accommodate them,” he said. “At the end of the day, we want our kids to do what they want to do.”
All of their children have a “cursory interest” in farming thus far, he said.
“We’re hopeful that at least one of the seventh generation will continue to farm.”
He recognizes the trend among some young families to move to more rural areas so they can raise their own farm animals and produce.
“It skipped a couple generations where there was no interest in it,” he said.
As for Patterson, he can’t imagine doing anything else, despite the many hours farming requires each week.
“Every day is different with new challenges and opportunities,” he said.