Chamber honors Jean Offermann for Ag & Forestry leadership

SANDPOINT - "She is a very community-minded person and is involved in many organizations," said Virginia Wood about Jean Offermann who was honored as volunteer of the month by the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce. "She is always willing to help wherever needed," she said.

As owner of Rocking O Ranch, Offermann is passionate about the agriculture and forestry industries in northern Idaho – these industries that are deeply rooted and play a vital role in this community.    

The Ag & Forestry committee was almost eliminated eight years ago, so Offermann stepped up to lead. "Jean brought it back to life, and then people got involved," said committee member and friend Barbara Botsch.

"In working with Jean over the past eight years, I have come to think of the Ag and Forestry Committee as her identity," said Kristan Peacock of the University of Idaho  Extension office.

Every year she and her committee had an educational booth in the Bonner  County Fair and won awards, supported 4H students and the Bonner County Fairgrounds, voiced what was happening with agriculture and forestry in the northern Panhandle region, among many other services to support agriculture and forestry.

The annual Farm Tour was the committee's largest project each year. The tour enriches participants with a hands-on learning experience as they visit area farms. "Jean was instrumental in finding farms for the tour, hosting the event and provided a landscape to educate participants of the importance of agriculture and forestry in our county and to our local economy," said Peacock. "Organizing the annual farm tour was quite the undertaking, but you wouldn't know it under Jean's leadership," said chamber executive director Amy  Little.

Jean not only played a major role in the chamber but multiple other organizations as well. Offermann has a long history of service to this community, according to friends of Jean. She's been very involved with the 4-H youth program and the Farm Bureau representing agricultural interests in Bonner County, said friend Steve Wood. She helped the former Sandpoint High School rodeo team in the '90s, said Rhonda Livingston. To this day she continues to help our young people.

Additionally, she is a long-time supporter of the Bonner County Fairgrounds. She was instrumental in building a permanent trail course at the fairgrounds, helps with the tractor driving contest, was a judge at the most recent Bonner County Fair, and has made countless other contributions.  

"Jean is amazing and is an asset to this community," said Rhonda Livingston of the Bonner County Fairgrounds. "She is a true volunteer. She gives of herself and doesn't expect anything back," Livingston said.

"We sincerely appreciate the time and labor Jean has contributed to the chamber and this community for so many years," said Little.