Ag Link savings 2023

By Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague

For nearly 40 years, Ohio’s farming community has turned to Ag-LINK to assist with the upfront costs for feed, seed, fertilizer, fuel, equipment, and other expenses. Through the program, farmers, agribusinesses, and co-ops can save money through interest rate reductions on new or existing operating loans.

The treasurer’s office has worked closely with agriculture stakeholders across the state to modernize Ag-LINK and make it more useful in today’s economic environment. I’m happy to share that these reform efforts are paying off and the program is providing more savings than ever before.

In 2023 alone, Ag-LINK saved Ohio’s farming community more than $14.1 million, shattering 2022’s single-year record of $2.03 million. All told, that’s a 594% increase in year over year savings.

The effort to overhaul Ag-LINK was not a solution in search of a problem. Rather, it came as a direct result of the feedback we received about the ways high inflation and supply chain issues were increasing the cost of doing business. By working together with farmers across the state, we reimagined this long-standing program to work better for the people who work so tirelessly to put food on our tables.

We look forward to building upon 2023’s success and continue making significant savings accessible to Ohio’s agriculture industry. For the first quarter of 2024, Ag-LINK’s minimum loan discount is set at 2.65%. Additionally, this year’s loan cap has been set at $500,000.

Agriculture has long been the backbone of our state’s economy, and the treasurer’s office is proud to do its part to ensure that remains true for years to come. I encourage all farmers, agribusinesses, and co-ops looking at financing options to talk to their financial institution about how Ag-LINK can help them save. More information on Ag-LINK can be found on our website.

The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
Kevin Holy's avatar
Kevin Holy

Geauga County Farm Bureau

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
We really appreciate what Farm Bureau has done to get people interested in this line of work and workforce development and getting people interested in this industry.
Jody Brown Boyd's avatar
Jody Brown Boyd

Brown's Family Farm Market

Finding farm labor
We work terrifically with the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, hosting at least one to two outreach town hall events every year to educate new farmers and existing farmers on traditional CAUV and woodlands.
David Thomas's avatar
David Thomas

Ashtabula County Auditor

CAUV: Past, present and future
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
Hannah Kiser's avatar
Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau involvement
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
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
Suggested Tags: