Inspiring youth in a way that also gives them the tools to influence their peers is one of the driving forces behind Ohio Farm Bureau’s Hope for Ohio initiative.

Hope for Ohio is a Farm Bureau project in partnership with supporting organizations working together with 4-H and FFA members to encourage peer-to-peer prevention measures to help fight the opioid epidemic.

Hope for Ohio events took place in three different areas of the state in November: FFA Camp Muskingham in Carroll County, Spencerville High School in Allen County and Batavia Community Center in Clermont County. The programs were for youth, parents, advisers and others interested in helping young people combat the crisis. More than 100 people participated in the initiative.

Various speakers both affected by the drug crisis as well as those working with youth in the field, such as Prevention Action Alliance, shared stories and information to provide youth with tools they need to be prevention leaders in their communities.

The toll of the opioid epidemic has contributed to the first decline in U.S. life expectancy since 1993. The U.S drug overdose mortality rate is 17.7 deaths per 100,000 ages 15-64, according to statistics provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s USDA Rural Development. In Ohio that number is much higher – 39.5 per 100,000.

Labor has always been an issue, mainly because we are a seasonal operation. So that's a challenge finding somebody who only wants to work three months out of a year, sometimes up to six months.
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Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
I appreciate the benefit of having a strong voice in my corner. The extras that are included in membership are wonderful, but I'm a member because of the positive impact to my local and state agricultural communities.
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Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities
I see the value and need to be engaged in the community I live in, to be a part of the decision-making process and to volunteer with organizations that help make our community better.
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Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development
Farm Bureau involvement has taught me how to grow my professional and leadership experience outside of the workforce and how to do that in a community-centric way.
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Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program
With not growing up on a farm, I’d say I was a late bloomer to agriculture. I feel so fortunate that I found the agriculture industry. There are so many opportunities for growth.
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Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
Jared Hughes's avatar
Jared Hughes

Groovy Plants Ranch

Groovy Plants Ranch
If it wasn't for Farm Bureau, I personally, along with many others, would not have had the opportunity to meet with our representatives face to face in Washington.
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Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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