From the February/March, 2008 issue:

The value of Farm Bureau membership
Pictured from left: Barrow Co. Farm Bureau President Doug Garrison congratulates Brad Akins, owner of Akins Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep in Winder, for selling the most vehicles through the GFB-Dodge discount program in 2007. Akins sold 89 vehicles with a $500 Farm Bureau discount for a total of $44,500 in savings to local Farm Bureau members.
When prospective customers seek Farm Bureau insurance, they often ask, “Why do I have to pay a $25 membership fee?”

Since you are reading this magazine, you are more than likely a farmer member. As a farmer member, you are likely aware of Farm Bureau's ongoing goal of providing a united voice in the legislative arena, promoting farm markets and providing leadership and assistance to Georgia's agricultural community. As you know, the membership fee is critical in funding these efforts.
But, what about those people who just want insurance? What can a Farm Bureau membership offer them? Plenty. For starters, the fee helps fund our 158 county Farm Bureau offices across the state. Having a local presence in these counties gives Farm Bureau a competitive advantage over most insurance companies and provides us the platform to provide the exceptional service Farm Bureau policyholders and members deserve.
Farm Bureau membership entitles a member the opportunity to access Farm Bureau's many insurance services. These services include: farm, auto, homeowners, business, life, health, accidental death, and much more. Farm Bureau also uses the size and strength of our membership numbers to negotiate with business partners to bring you services, benefits and discounts just for being a member. Farm Bureau members are entitled to discounts such as a $500 cash allowance on select Dodge vehicles, 20% discount at Choice Hotels, 10-50% off tools and equipment through Grainger Industrial Supply and up to 55% off prescription drug purchases.
The Member Services and Field Services Departments at our Home Office in Macon work closely with our county leadership and county staff to promote these discount programs. Their goal is to make our almost 435,000 members aware of the true value of a Farm Bureau membership. In 2007, members saved more than $2.3 million through our member benefits programs.
Farm Bureau is particularly proud of its partnership with Dodge. By utilizing the $500 discount, members can, in effect, pay for their Farm Bureau membership for 20 years!
Last year, 1,298 members saved $500 each on the purchase of a brand new Dodge vehicle. That is a total savings of $649,000!
We would like to recognize Akins Chrysler Dodge Jeep, in Winder, for their support of this discount program. In 2007, Akins Dodge sold 89 vehicles through the GFB Dodge Discount Program. This was the most vehicles a participating Dodge dealership sold through the program. Owner Brad Akins and his staff do an excellent job of identifying Farm Bureau members as being eligible for the program and making sure they get the discount. Barrow County Farm Bureau (BCFB) President Doug Garrison and his staff also do an excellent job of promoting the program and informing their members of the benefits of membership. We certainly appreciate the effort BCFB and Akins Dodge have made in making the Dodge discount program so successful in their county!
Georgia Farm Bureau is committed to continuing our efforts to add value to your Farm Bureau membership. We are currently assessing additional member benefits programs that we hope to be able to introduce to you later this year. If you have any questions about your membership or member benefits, please dial the Member Services Department at 1-800-633-5432 and press one.

by: Jay Murdock, assistant director of the GFB Member Service Department.