Farmer’s Guide to Trucking Regulations available to Ohio Farm Bureau members
The guide includes a farm driver checklist, overview of state and federal regulations and exemptions, CDL qualifications and more.
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A new digital map from the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration provides more detail about broadband needs across the country than any other publicly available resource. Tapping into data aggregated at the county, census tract and census block level from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Federal Communications Commission, M-Lab, Ookla and Microsoft, the map shows the many parts of the country reporting connection speeds that fall below the FCC’s current benchmark for fixed broadband service of 25 Mbps download, 3 Mbps upload.
Farmers, ranchers and others who live in rural communities struggle every day with poor connection speeds, which slow down their work on the business end of the farm, school work, and their ability to download and share important documents – and so much more.
“A reliable and speedy broadband connection is also critical to farmers’ use of precision agriculture to farm as sustainably and efficiently as possible. Without high-speed internet, farmers cannot collect key data or analyze it to determine the exact amount of fertilizer to apply, how much water their crops need or the precise amount of herbicides or pesticides they should use,” explained Ryan Yates, managing director of public policy at the American Farm Bureau Federation.
NTIA’s new map can help officials determine where to focus government funding and public-private partnership efforts to enhance broadband.
“There are resources available to boost broadband access in rural America, but it’s limited, making it extremely important to target the areas that need it the most,” Yates said.
Farm Bureau is backing two bills introduced this spring that would help with rural broadband funding.
The Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility (EBRIDGE) Act (S. 1695, H.R. 3193) seeks to ensure local communities can partner with the private sector in carrying out broadband projects and gives communities more flexibility in complying with their funding match requirements.
The Broadband for Rural America Act (H.R. 3369) would provide more than $7 billion in authorizations for USDA broadband connectivity programs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
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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Share named ExploreAg and Youth Development Specialist
Katie Share of Columbus has been named ExploreAg and Youth Development Specialist for Ohio Farm Bureau.
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Klopfenstein named Young Ag Professional and Ag Literacy Program Specialist
Mary Klopfenstein of Delphos has been named Young Ag Professional and Ag Literacy Program Specialist for Ohio Farm Bureau.
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Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan now offered to all sole proprietors
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Ohioans can compete for ag business startup funds
The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online by June 15 for the 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge.
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Flynn elected treasurer of Ohio Farm Bureau
Adele Flynn of Wellington has been elected treasurer of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and now holds the third highest elected office in Ohio’s largest and most influential farm organization.
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HPAI in Ohio dairy herd: What you need to know
Producers are urged to work with their veterinarian to practice enhanced biosecurity measures and review and limit cattle movements within production systems.
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The 5 most common spring pole barn repairs you need to know
The changing seasons bring with them the need to thoroughly inspect pole barns for any damages that may have occurred during the winter months.
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Health care advice from Ohio’s agricultural community
Hundreds of Ohio businesses and sole proprietors are raving about Ohio Farm Bureau’s Health Benefits plan with lower, predictable costs and easy enrollment and administration options.
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AgriPower Class XIV Session 4: Labor, carbon, cider, meat and flowers
AgriPOWER Class XIV spent a few days in March in Medina and Wayne counties learning more about northern Ohio agriculture from leaders in Ohio Farm Bureau.
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