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 a much longer primary election season. Throughout the year, members were tasked with reviewing 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 2022 Farm Bureau AGGPAC Election Guide, included in the October issue of Buckeye Farm News.

Friend of Ag candidate J.D. Vance was successful in his bid for the U.S. Senate, replacing retiring Sen. Rob Portman.

Statewide incumbents were successful in the other top of ticket races, with the re-election of Gov. Mike DeWine, Dave Yost retaining his role as attorney general, Auditor Keith Faber’s win, Frank LaRose remaining secretary of state, and Treasurer Robert Sprague winning over voters on Election Day.

Ohio Farm Bureau Friend of Ag designations held true to their history of successful indicators, with a 92% success rate for all legislative candidates named a Friend of Ag in the 2022 general election.

The open seat candidates that Farm Bureau members screened saw an 84% success rate in their races, while farm-friendly candidates saw even greater success among the incumbents of the General Assembly, with 96% of those candidates retaining their seats. 

In the race for the three seats on the Ohio Supreme Court, Friend of Ag candidate Sharon Kennedy emerged successful in her bid for Ohio Supreme Court chief justice, while Pat DeWine and Patrick Kennedy, incumbents and Friends of Ag, won to continue their roles on the Ohio Supreme Court.

As a nonpartisan organization dedicated to serving the best interests of farm families throughout Ohio, Farm Bureau looks forward to its 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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