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Volunteer of the Month
MFB's Volunteers of the Month are selected by a panel of discerning staff judges who work with Farm Bureau members statewide in a variety of program areas. Nomination forms are available at all county offices, or by contacting Lori Chamberlain at the MFB Young Farmer Department at (800) 292-2680, ext. 3234.
Marvin Sober
April, 2006 Volunteer of the Month
Farm Bureau honors Hillsdale member for service, dedication
Marvin Sober of Hillsdale has been recognized by Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) as the organization's Volunteer of the Month for April 2006. In addition to serving as Hillsdale County Farm Bureau's vice president, Sober is active in the organization's promotion and education (P&E) and policy development committees.
Sober's extensive connection with the agriculture industry across south-central Michigan -- and northern Ohio and Indiana -- puts him in an advantageous position for advocating Farm Bureau programs. He helped spur sufficient advertiser interest to enable the Hillsdale Daily News to run a regular agriculture page, and pushed for improving communication across county lines to streamline policy recommendations to the state-level Farm Bureau organization.
Assisting his wife on the P&E committee, Sober has taken an aggressive role in reinforcing the public's positive image of the agriculture industry by promoting the proactive steps Michigan farmers take to safeguard the environment. Also helping maintain good relations between the farming and non-farming communities, he helped coordinate an awareness campaign educating motorists about slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblems, and how to properly share the road with farm equipment. Hillsdale County Farm Bureau's SMV awareness campaign went on to enjoy wider recognition at the Michigan Farm Bureau's 2005 Annual Meeting and the American Farm Bureau Federation's 2006 Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tenn.
"Marv is an ideal volunteer because of the dedication he gives to the industry," wrote Sober's nominator for the Volunteer of the Month award. "His positive attitude has shown others he is serious about addressing problems effectively and professionally."
With his wife Jan, Sober operates a dairy supply business in Hillsdale that has served the region's farmers for more than 30 years. At their home farm they raise Texas Longhorn and Scottish Highland cattle.
