2020 Election

The grassroots tradition of Ohio Farm Bureau members engaging with candidates seeking to fill open seats within the General Assembly continued to be a successful process, even as members and candidates adapted to the virtual screenings needed during a pandemic. Members were tasked with finding new ways to review their current representatives as part of the incumbent Friend of Agriculture process, while also screening new candidates seeking office. 

The Friend of Agriculture designations were announced in the 2020 Farm Bureau AGGPAC Election Guide, included in the September/October issue of Our Ohio magazine.

Ohio Farm Bureau Friend of Ag designations held true to their history of successful indicators, with a 96% success rate for all legislative candidates named an Friend of Ag in the 2020 General Election.

The open seat candidates members screened saw a 90% success rate in their races, while even greater success for farm-friendly candidates was seen among the incumbents of the General Assembly, with 97% of those candidates retaining their seats. 

In the race for the two seats on the Ohio Supreme Court, incumbent and Friend of Ag candidate Sharon Kennedy emerged successful, while Judi French, also an incumbent and Friend of Ag, lost her seat to former Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner. 

As a bi-partisan organization dedicated to serving the best interests of farm families throughout Ohio, Farm Bureau looks forward to members being able to continue to develop strong relationships with their elected officials. As traditions go, there are few as time-tested as Ohio Farm Bureau members working closely with their leaders to shape agricultural policy in the Buckeye State.

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.
Ernie Welch's avatar
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.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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