Christine Snowden

Session 4 for AgriPOWER Class XII took place in Columbus and Delaware, Ohio Nov. 18 and 19. The policy staff at Ohio Farm Bureau and Melinda Witten, our program coordinator, worked hard to set up a very informative tours for us within the state capital and at Consolidated Cooperative so that we were able to meet our four learning objectives set out for session 4:

  • Explore the legislative process at the state and local level.
  • Develop effective methods to communicate with policymakers, stakeholders, industry professionals, consumers and the public.
  • Explore Farm Bureau’s role in the policy development process.
  • Gain a first-hand perspective of agricultural facilities and businesses in Ohio.

Our adventure began at the Ohio Farm Bureau office in downtown Columbus on the 18th to receive updates on state issues from the policy team before our windy journey down to the Statehouse for the day. As with any day within the world of the legislature, the name of the game is to plan, replan and go with the flow of where the day takes you. Luckily for us, the House of Representatives was in session, and we got to meet with Rep. Susan Manchester for a quick Q&A of the bill that she is working to push through called Beginning Farmer Tax Credit.

It was great to hear from someone that has so much passion for the farmers here in the state of Ohio. Since session was going on, this also meant that the schedule for the day allowed us to get a great tour of the Statehouse and sitting in on a hearing of the committee led by Rep. Manchester. This was followed up with a great presentation from Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis as she went over the functions of the judicial branch within the state of Ohio all the way up to the federal level. She outlined how a case begins and how it works its way through the system to explain each part of the court system.

After Leah we heard from the state auditor Keith Faber and the function that he serves for the state of Ohio and how it is very different from our county auditors. To follow up on Leah’s presentation we made our way back out into the wind to walk to the Supreme Court building. Once inside the Supreme Court we received a very educational tour of the building that included not only the function of the building for the citizens of Ohio but also all of the rich history behind the beautiful architecture and art within the building. After our tour, we had the pleasure of meeting with Justice Patrick DeWine and learning more about his role within the judicial branch for the state of Ohio. He even allowed us to see into the robe room for the judges where they get ready for court.

On the 19th we were able to work through the rest of our learning objectives. First, we heard again from Leah Curtis on CAUV and local school funding, both things that majorly impact our communities. After this Leah led us into the next part of our morning and started our panel of local government officials from around the state of Ohio. The panel included a county auditor, mayor, and Ohio township trustee. Each of them gave us great insight into their roles within their communities and advice for starting out if we would like to become part of our local governments. Their advice was a great segue to the next presentation by Whitney Bowers as she explained to us the steps to take for a successful run to become part of local and state government.

Lastly, we were able to take a tour at Consolidated Cooperative out of Delaware, Ohio. Their tour gave us great insight into the rural broadband issues that many within the state of Ohio face and what their cooperative is doing for the consumers they serve. This session was extremely informative in all aspects that were covered, and we are very thankful for all those that took time to meet with us.

AgriPOWER is a leadership growth series for agricultural professionals. If you would like more information about AgriPOWER and how to be a part of the next class, please send all inquires to Melinda Witten at [email protected].

 

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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