From a polar vortex to tornados to excessive rain and flooding, Ohio has seen just about every challenge that Mother Nature can offer in 2019. Now farmers in all 88 counties of the state can sign up for disaster assistance after Ohio’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has declared every corner of the state a disaster area.

“Farmers who opted for Prevented Plant this year will already be getting some much needed help with ‘Top Up’ payments for those unplanted acres automatically, but more funding may be there for counties declared disaster areas,” said Jack Irvin, Ohio Farm Bureau’s senior director of state and national policy. “We are recommending that members visit their county FSA office to see what additional resources they might qualify for.”

Ohio had a record 1.5 million Prevented Plant acres of would-be corn and soybeans this year. 

Ohio wasn’t alone in the struggles of 2019. Parts of Iowa and Nebraska experienced heavy flooding along the Mississippi River, wildfires ravaged acres of the west and the southeast portion of the U.S. suffered major hurricane damage. All those affected by natural disasters will be looking for some assistance from the recently passed disaster relief bill, which allots just over $3 billion for agricultural losses.

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.
Mandy Way's avatar
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.
Matt Aultman's avatar
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.
Jaclyn De Candio's avatar
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.
Jenna Gregorich's avatar
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.
Austin Heil's avatar
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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