ohio farm bureau federation

We are not for Big Government. If there is an individual problem, deal with it. If not, leave things alone...This country is getting in the mess, it is in by "groups" leaving out common sense and feeling a few knows what is best for the majority. If the Ohio Farm Bureau supports more government and unnecessary rules and regulations, it has become a group of politics. Please listen to the people who support this agency. If you don't, Instead of going around gathering members during campaign drives, I definitely will be calling my friends and neighbors and telling them not to support the Ohio Farm Bureau. Listen or Leave flag as improper

Hi Jacqueline. Beth Vanderkooi from OFBF staff. I think that you make a great point about something that we at Farm Bureau continually advocate for our members - if there is a problem it needs to be addressed, but if there is not we should be free to run our businesses and farms the best way that we determine.

We continually are an advocate for government reform - particularly through the elimination of unecessary functions of government. Doing so not only creates fewer bureaucratic hurdles for farmers, but also costs less in taxpayer resources.

However, we also have an understanding that there is and will continue to be some regulatory oversight over how food is produced. For that reason, we are working to ensure that the people who are writing the regulations have a strong understanding of Ohio Agriculture, Science-based approaches to animal care, and the need for farming to remain a viable industry. We will also be working to keep our member engaged in public policy and politics - so that your voices are heard loudly and clearly in the Ohio Statehouse.

One thing that makes Farm Bureau such a need organization is that our policy is derived from our members and not by the Board or the Staff. Thus, we remain a true member-driven, grassroots organization that is always looking to be more responsive to our members and more effective as a voice for all of Ohio's farmers. flag as improper

Even professionals are prone to typos from time to time! In the last paragraph I intended to say "neat" organization. However, I think I could also have said "needed" - so kind readers please take your pick! flag as improper

I remember when I heard that HSUS announced that they were bringing their legislation to Ohio, I was flat out terrified. With Farm Sanctuary able to win their ballot initiative that added animal care standards to Florida's constitution, And HSUS continuing the fundraising campaign by winning ballot initiatives placing constitutional amendments in Arizona and California by landslide I know Ohio was no doubt facing further livestock regulation.

In Pacelle's (President of HSUS) words a month ago:

Question: Do you ever used science based type information to help form those policies

Pacelle: I wouldnt say on the policies, Id say more on the campaigns. You know when we did Prop 2 we had a polling firm or a couple of polling firms that we worked with, we do focus groups to measure public attitude. So I think that like any type of sophisticated political operation you use the best research tools in order to drive your message, but in terms of our policy formulations I cant think of a time that weve done research.

Like it or not animal care regulations are going to be part of Ohio's future, the question is do we want a neutral board using reasearch and science to determine what the most sound and humane practices are, or do we want to just use surveys to find out how people emotionally feel, even if it means that livestock may be forced to live in less humane situations?

I am voting for issue 2, for our animals, for our food, and for me as a farmer.

Thanks,

Mike Haley flag as improper

As an Ohio 5th generation Farmer that cares for 30 cows I support of Issue 2. Currently theres no statewide regulations 4 animal welfare standards, farmers in different counties across Ohio must conform to the current standards that are required in the county that they operate. What this board will do is allow all voices to be heard and create new statewide welfare standards, it has been proposed by farmers and farm groups because citizens are concerned about how food is raised.

I am a strong supporter of my local humane society, wich is not affiliated with HSUS, they do a good job making sure animal welfare standards are upheld. They are also in support of Issue 2, as it will give them better guidlines 2 follow in animal cruelty cases.

I encourage everyone to vote yes for the livestock care board, to help ensure my families future to allow another 5 generations to care for our livestock and the soil that produces our food.

Thanks,

Mike Haley flag as improper

Issue 2 is important people! One only needs to read up on the HSUS and PeTA to find out what their true agenda is. TOTAL ANIMAL LIBERATION. They're not just scare tactics. These so called charities raise millions in non-profit cash each year specificaly to lobby and change the laws that affect you as farmers and livestock breeders.
Take care and make sure you do your homework on The HSUS before voting down issue 2.
At the same time, don't get lulled into a false sense of security that issue 2 will keep The HSUS out of your farming business.
They will keep pushing their agenda and you as farmers will have to stand up and push back harder.

As HSUS president Wayne Pacelle said on the AgriTalk radio program in June:

Do you have plans now for Ohio, or for a ballot initiative in any other state in the near future?

Were committed to stopping the intensive confinement of animals: veal crates and gestation crates and battery cages. And well continue to work on that on all fronts. And Ohio is still very much at top of mind for us, despite this effort.

http://www.animalscam.com/news.cfm?id=3996 flag as improper

I am not too sure why some of you are not against BOTH Issue 2 AND Animal Rights groups.

Both are going to trying to control what small farms do either the Big Government and Big Ag route or the Animal Rights PETA route.

Voting for Issue 2 does not change the fact that you are giving someone else control of what you do.

We are seeing farmers split over wether we are going to vote yes on an issue that NONE of us honestly know anything about. Who is being elected, not the type of position but who is going to be in that position? Would ANY of you vote for President if you did not who you were voting for? OK, what about your local State Rep? Yes or No, now, then we tell you who represents you later and once they are there YOU cannot do anything about voting them out. Does that make sense? If you say that is not the issue here, well, keep lying to yourself.

My wife's cousin up in Holmes County is a dairy farmer and let me tell you, they are getting hammered. By what or by whom? Milk Prices. The prices aren't being controlled by PETA.

Guess what those city folk are being told...vote for Issue 2 and prices in food will go down. I bet my wife's cousin would LOVE to see LOTS of even cheaper milk. So they can loose even more money.

Our would we rather like to see top dollar for our product? A real price? You get a political body, that is picked for political means, and when politics is influenced by food prices see what happens...
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I first posted this comment on a different area of this site but I think it should have been here:

I've been researching as much as I am able to and from what I have read, I am also opposed to Issue 2.
Just for the fact that it is creating a board to regulate farming practices and I thought we already have regulations, according to a card I read for Issue 2, it said we already have had safe ag procedures for generations. Why has it changed?
When I asked one farmer why he was voting for it, he said because he does not want groups like peta making our regulations. But I also read somewhere else, that animal rights groups can and will come to ohio next year and get enough signatures to get their agendas on next years ballot. And when people hear anything about humane treatments of animals they will vote for it also.
That is why I do not see the sense of voting another government group to come in and regulate when next year these animal rights groups can get their issues on the ballot anyway. Why pay for another government panel? flag as improper flag as improper

There will always be logic for and against Issues like #2. Yes or No on 2, our HSUS, PETA friends and the like will always be in our face. What we, at the grass roots, better be clear on is the need to be forever vigilant of the fact that this "BOARD" will be a product of "GOVERNMENT", run by "PEOPLE" all of whom historically will become "CORRUPT" if not constantly monitored. What ever "Livestock Care Standards Board" we end up with, from what ever logic voters use, we ALL better avoid becoming complacent. We all must identify, in our own local areas, any efforts that are taking place to organize the ag. community. We must join that effort, support it, and make it a watch-dog that will have power and credibility to act when our Governor appointed board functions improperly. I am working with such a group in Knox County and I sincerely hope Ohio Farm Bureau will be there for us when we, in Knox County, feel the need to "raise-a-flag" in protest. flag as improper