ohio farm bureau federation

I'm very disappointed with Ohio agricultural leaders with this compromise. How can I look my neighbors in the eye and tell them everything I've been telling them wasn't worth fighting for? At a recent meeting a representative from the Ohioans for Livestock Care Coalition presented a program. He had no business cards, had no agricultural background and didn't even know what a hog farm was called. Another member toured Ohio Fresh Eggs and asked if they thought their chickens were happy. This is who we had fighting our battle. I've worked and worked to keep HSUS out of Ohio for nothing. They got exactly what they wanted, a compromise that will be in their favor since it looks ike they call the shots from now on. Thank you Ohio agriculture. I'll wait for HSUS to tell me what to do with my horses next.
Marcie Williams flag as improper

I dont think OFBF understands the betrayal that is going to be felt by its members and Ohios agricultural community. I have worked very hard to promote agriculture, the Livestock Care Standards Board and Ohios commitment to providing a safe, affordable food supply full of choice for Ohios consumers.

I feel the same as the previous poster, absolutely betrayed. I personally funded the Issue 2 campaign and I feel as though that involvement makes me a part of this atrocity. Ohios consumers trusted that the Livestock Care Standards Board was going to protect their right to choice while protecting the animals. Today, it became clear that neither of these objectives will be met. I also looked a number of skeptical voters in the eye and explained to them that they could trust that voting yes on Issue 2 was one of the most important steps they could take to take charge of their food supply. Clearly, I was wrong.

As a veterinary student and a certified professional animal scientist I educated our consumers with the truth, exposing the lies of HSUS and gained their trust only to have it stripped away by OFBF, the governor and the OLCSB in a secret meeting.

OFBF claims the fight was not worth the expense. I will see to it that every farmer I know is persuaded to keep their annual dues with the same furor I used to convince voters that they could trust in Ohios agriculture leaders. If those dues aren't going to be used to protect the farmers that pay them, you shouldn't be collecting them. This failure of your members will not be taken lightly. I suspect Ohio Farm Bureau is less concerned about their farmers dues and more concerned about losing the almighty dollar from their Nationwide Insurance customers.

I am certain the battle between truth and the HSUS that was about to ensue would have been unpleasant, unconscionable, grotesque and very hard to overcome; however, we would have prevailed without folding to the activists that will be back to destroy us, they will have even more money the next go around; I wonder what they compromises will be then?

As an organization charged with protecting farmers it would have been wise to consult them in this decision before you took their money and handed it over in absolute defeat. Facing the challenge from HSUS would have been well worth it because now HSUS will forever be able to say that Ohio agriculture knows what they were doing was wrong.

Many consumers and producers will never again trust OFBF, farmers or the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board because everything they sought to protect was stripped from them in the blink of an eye.
Just twelve hours ago OFBF was criticizing HSUS for their deceitful tactics.now they lay down beside them as Ohios farmers hit their pillows blissfully unaware of what happened. I can no longer promote agriculture in this state because I betrayed every voter I spoke to when I said they could trust the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board.
Thank you for destroying everything you were charged to protect. Ohio Farm Bureau owes its members, this state and the animals an apology, followed by a resignation of your leaders.

The Ohio Farm Bureau is an utter disgrace.

Matthew Weeman
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OMG! OMG! O M G !!!!!

I was floored as I read this agreement that was made with HSUS by our so called leaders of OFBF in Columbus; a mere three days before the 4th of July, a day that celebrates our ancestors standing up against all odds and fighting for what they believed in.

I agree with many of the comments previously made by others. I am ashamed of our OFBF leadership that has done exactly what they said we shouldn't and couldn't afford to do. Did our State Board have the opportunity to vote on this? I feel Jack Fisher and any others that were in support of this agreement should resign immediately!

I feel betrayed and used by OFBF as I look back at the way they convinced us all to "rally the troops" against HSUS. I think of all the valuable hours that I willingly spent away from my farm and family to stand up against outside aggression - it was all a waste. I think of the money and our volunteers time wasted by our County Farm Bureau last year in fighting HSUS. These funds and volunteers time could have been better spent working and promoting our county programs.

I have felt for a long time that OFBF, who is funded by membership money, has been trying to take the power away from the County Farm Bureaus (which in a true grassroots organization is where the power should come from). OFBF didn't consult with the board in our county to let us take a vote on how this matter should continue to be handled. I guess they thought that they knew best. Personally, I believe they made the wrong choice and I would have voted to continue to fight and defend Ohio's Family Farmers against HSUS and others like them.

Dwight L. Clary, President
Seneca County Farm Bureau
District I Board Member
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This is truly a slap in the face to all of us that worked hard to get the Board passed. The whole idea that was pitched by the FB to the voters was to stop outside organizations from being able to dictate how responsible farmers/breeders care for their animals and that is exactly what is happening now.

Why should responsible animal owners always be punished for the deeds that the few non-responsible owners do. I agree we need to set standards of care so things like the Daily Farm incident don't happen again but lets be real, the Board was elected to help us not put us out of business, drive the cost of meat/poultry and eggs sky high and put hard working people out of a job in a market that is already too high.

Additionally, I don't remember anything about the Board governing non-livestock animals (wild/exotic). The Ohio Revised Code defines livestock as follows:
904.01 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, livestock means either of the following:
(A) Equine animals regardless of the purpose for which they are raised;
(B) Any of the following animals that are raised for human food products or fiber:
(1) Porcine animals; (pigs)
(2) Bovine animals; (cattle)
(3) Caprine animals; (Goat)
(4) Ovine animals; (Sheep)
(5) Poultry;
(6) Alpacas;
(7) Llamas;
(8) Any other animal designated in rules adopted under section 904.03 of the Revised Code.
Added by 128th General Assembly File No. 24, HB 414, 1, eff. 3/31/2010.

We need to let FB, Gov. Strickland and the entire Board know we the people are not in agreement with their current course of action. flag as improper

Once again, government does not listen to the people it is supposed to represent. For months last year Ohio's farm families fought against the HSUS and their involvement in our livelihood. In a resounding statewide vote it appeared they were defeated and the Livestock Care Standards Board was started to monitor and implement the ideas we all fought for. Now it is announced that the OFBF along with our governor have reached an agreement with the same people we were all fighting against. And who wins? It appears to me that HSUS does. The governor announces that Ohio agriculture wins because this avoids a lengthy battle because HSUS had the signatures needed to initiate a ballot referendum. According to an article my family read just two days ago the HSUS was far from having the necessary signatures to put this on the November ballot. Could it be that they instead decided to help fund Governor Strickland's political career? In the agreement HSUS gets all the issues regarding animal housing addressed just as if they had never lost the election. What do Ohio farmers win?
OFBF say this agreement validates the OLCSB. Just reading paragraph #10 of the agreement details proves how wrong this notion is. In exchange for HSUS not submitting a constitional amendment they agree to let the OLCSB implement all the reforms recommended to the board by 12/31/10. Now we all know nothing in government is ever accomplished in a short period of time-do they think we are foolish enough to believe this is possible!! Evidently the governor and the OFBF are that foolish! If this is not done to HSUS's satisfaction this agreement is voided and they can come back in to our state to pursue a ballot iniative whenever they choose. I can easily see the handwriting on the wall-just as every other farm family in the state no doubt will. My OFBF membership renewal is due by 12/31/10-guess I will monitor the situation as well before I decide to support an organization that does not seem to support my family's way of life.
I really don't think that there will be a check in the mail to OFBF from us.
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I sincerely hope that all reading this post and those posting on this forum will try their hardest to contact the members of the OLCSB to "veto" the undermining that OFBF and our Governor has done. The only chance we have to save agriculture in this state is to write the OLCSB and get them to say no to this "AGREEMENT". It's time to turn your back on the organization that sold you out and work hard to let the OLCSB know that you want them to roll up their sleeves and keep working for you without giving in. Changes need to be made in agriculture, these changes need to come from us and only us. We're all hypocrites if this "compromise" comes to fruition. I have no doubt HSUS will be back and they are not feeling defeat from yesterdays meeting....they have a full sense of empowerment. Wayne Pacelle is an expert...far better at what he does than anyone working for HSUS; he did not let OFBF pull the wool over his eyes despite what Jack Fisher may think!

The fight will be tough, it will leave us with a black eye for sure but the farmers and true proponents for agriculture will prevail in the end if we all work together and speak the truth about Ohio agriculture. We do not need Farm Bureau to do what is right, obviously OFBF is incapable!

Matthew Weeman
Wayne County flag as improper

Our fresh from college graduation daughter comes busting through the door and yells at me, "They let HSUS win!" That is the perception that will be taken from this action!

From the viewpoint of HSUS - the OFBF sees the situation the same way that HSUS does. If the situation is looked at from the viewpoint of the Ohio farmer the OFBF supports HSUS.

Item # 2: By agreeing to this, those that have exotic animals, once their existing stock is deceased, they will no longer be a viable business for the state of Ohio, because the only way to get new stock is to breed it or buy it.

Item # 6: Establishes HSUS to be an equal research partner with the OLCSB. This gives HSUS a 50% representation on the OLSCB.

Item # 7: Evidently, there is no need for the OLSCB to perform any type of scientific evaluation of gestation crates because OFBF is, by association, condemning them also.

Item # 8: See # 7, only substitute battery cages for gestation crates.

Item # 9: Get me a lawyer; I need legal advice on what the ramifications of what this means in plain terms.

Item # 10: This looks like political maneuvering on both sides. HSUS might not feel comfortable with proceeding this November with a ballot initiative. OFBF avoids (post-pones) a potentially costly election. Come January 1, 2011, HSUS can claim that the terms of the agreement were not lived up to, and so is withdrawing, and they have succeeded in having OFBF agree to oppose gestation crates and battery cages.

My conclusion, from what I know so far, is that HSUS just got a major stepping stone in getting the OFBF to agree with HSUS about gestation crates and battery cages; without OFBF having the benefit of scientific and practical research on the matter.

Respectfully,
Jack Schmiesing
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I just found out about this on the http://humanewatch.org/ website.
From their analysis of the agreement it sure looked like a victory for the OFBF. Their take on this agreement was basic that the HSUS has not gained much if anything. Here is a link to the article go to it and read for yourself.

http://humanewatch.org/index.php/site/post/sale_of_the_century/

It is possible I am missing something here. Read the article and let me know if I am missing something.
Thanks
Steve
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I am disappointed in knowing that my time and money were wasted in the fight against HSUS flag as improper

Hi folks,

Dan Toland of the OFBF staff here. Thanks for your comments/responses so far. Just want to make sure you aware of the latest update.

This morning, OFBF Executive Vice President Jack Fisher sat down in our radio studio with Joe Cornely to chat about the agreement and to answer some of the questions that have been posted on this page and those that are being asked throughout the Internet and off of it.

The 15-minute conversation can be found in the Featured News section of our home page, and at http://ofbf.org/news-and-events/news/800/.

Please take some time to click over to that page and listen to the discussion.

Further comments may continue to be posted right here on this page, and Ohio Farm Bureau will continue to address them as we are able.

We appreciate and encourage your continued participation in this discussion.

Thank you.

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I can understand your disappointment. I to have spent some time and money to help with the fight. I would have spent more time and money if it had gone to the ballot.
I would like to think that all of our efforts to this point may have made the HSUS think twice about going forward.
It would be nice if the HSUS took the money they would have spent on this ballot initiative and give to the local humane societies, like they lead people to believe.
We will have to way and see how this works out, but sure looks like we backed them down for now. Should the HSUS start their stirring again, I will be back in the fight.
Steve
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It was totally wrong of the OLC and OFBF to "protect" the farming community at the expense of responsible Ohio dog breeders, who did NOT have representation at the table.

I think David Martosko sums it up pretty well in his blog at humanewatch.org:

"... I understand Ohios dog breeders must feel like the Farm Bureau threw them under the bus. Fair enough. Yesterdays information about what would constitute puppy mill reform was vague. Today its not.

"The agreement calls for everyone to urge Ohio lawmakers 'to support and pass SB 95 largely in the current form.' Heres SB 95 (http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_SB_95). And heres one organizations analysis of what it would do (http://www.acalegislation.com/Ohio/). Read it for yourself. One word comes to mind: 'Eek.' This is not good."

It would be one thing if the agreement supported formation of something comparable to the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board for non-livestock domesticated animals, it does not. I wish OLC and OFBF would reconsider their selfish, self-centered action, but I can't see that happening. flag as improper

Dan, I listened to the interview. The recap on issue 2 and the Livestock Care Standards Board was nice, but nothing informative or new. In the second segment Jack Fisher explains that housing modifications need to be made. I always thought the purpose of Farm Bureau was to educate it members on the changes that needed to be made. Correct me if I am wrong but I have not seen any progress on behalf of Farm Bureau in facilitating these necessary changes; this has been coming for years yet OFBF has done nothing. It sounds to me as though Farm Bureau and Jack Fisher are admitting they failed to do their job these past years and now are allowing HSUS to mandate what the necessary changes should be. Is Jack Fisher telling Ohio farmers that he needed to speak with HSUS to figure out what modifications were necessary because that would be a complete dereliction of duty.

It was extremely poor timing for Jack Fisher to explain his commitment to Ohios farmers and express compassion to those that were a part of the grassroots efforts to make the organization strong. Does Jack Fisher really believe he can sit down in front of a microphone and tell those of us who were are part of that grassroots effort that he cares about us after he just got done undermining us? If he had compassion for those that were working very hard to promote agriculture in this state he should have shown that by consulting the OFBF members, not by selling them out.

After listening to the interview I have no doubt we were indeed sold out. He explains how costly the battle would have been and doesnt do much to explain what his role was to win it. Apparently Jack Fishers job is to sit at the round table with the organizations he admits want to put us out of work and give them exactly what they want, just on an extended timeframe.

OFBF, Jack Fisher and the governor can tell Ohio farmers that this compromise was met to ensure stability in the economic environment but few are going to buy that. Economic stability has never been a part of farming. Farmers are resilient, it is not an easy job, a lot of farmers resilience manifests itself in the trust that Ohio farmers had in the agricultural leaders of our state.

Until yesterday farmers had someone at their back. Today, clearly they do not. Jack Fisher says HSUS was going to keep coming back if we didnt compromise. Of course they were. The only difference now is that they dont have to come back, theyre getting the progress they want and they will achieve their ultimate objectives in a timeframe that they see as acceptable. HSUS will be back as soon as we arent meeting the agreement to their satisfaction. If HSUS isnt coming back as a result of this despicable sell out its only because they dont have anything they need to ask for, theyre getting everything they want. In reality, HSUS doesnt have to come back because Jack Fisher, our governor and OFBF just put the welcome mat out for them, theyre sleeping right here with us.

The video line about Conklin Dairy was extremely unprofessional. I believe farmers across the state knew what was to come and they were bracing themselves for the worst videos these activists have to offer, but at the end of the day our voters can see through this smoke screen. They know all too well what politics are about and a lot of them have the ability to recognize fact from fiction. We were gaining ground, convincing the voters that HSUS did not have their best interests in mind, now most of them are confused. One minute Jack Fisher is thanking the erudite voters of Ohio for approving the Livestock Care Standards Board by a 2:1 margin and the next hes telling them that he has no faith they can take what was about to be thrown their way. Naming the most recent tragedy does nothing to help the cause; it only brings back those memories. Expressing empathy for the farm is a slippery slope when we still dont know what really happened in that situation. I dont think Jack Fisher needs to be on record empathizing with anything regarding that video.

In the interview I did here one thing that was correct, uncertainty has a way of grinding business to a halt. Farmers everywhere will be checking the solidarity of their businesses if the Livestock Care Standards Board agrees to allow these negotions to come to fruition. Jack Fisher removed the uncertainty of their future and handed them a recipe for guaranteed disaster, what a gift.


Now there is no hope. Ohios voters are going to see HSUS as being the powerful reform machine that they want to be and Farm Bureau is going to be seen as a bunch of lying lobbyists. Uncertainty is a way of risk, our farmers do manage their risks and technology was a large part of that, until now. I really dont think anything Jack Fisher said was good common sense.

To make matters worse, Jack Fisher explains that its okay to make this compromise because the industries were already agreeing to phase out a lot of these practices. We know this! Our consumers do not! OFBF was charged with the responsibility of letting our consumers know that farmers care about their animals and were regulating themselves. The industry was working toward the publics desires on its own. Unfortunately because of Jack Fisher all the market place will see is HSUS bringing home the victory for animals now that the OFBF proclaimed advancements in animal welfare are being made and OFBF and the governor have admitted what HSUS wants is good common sense.

The interview continues to go downhill from there when Jack Fisher has the audacity to say this is a unanimous agreement for Ohio agriculture. What exactly was the process that led to this agreement again? I recall OFBF showing HSUS the door when they came to talk in February and all of the other industrys leaders were doing the same. If this decision was planned and good for all of Ohio agriculture why were only a select few well suited individuals involved in the decision making down at the statehouse? Im not a reporter but I believe press releases are typically sent out more than an hour or two in advance and usually when an organization as big as OFBF is going to make a decision that affects as many as this one did they talk with the members about it first. Everyone was taken off guard by this talk that occurred, including the reporters who are usually at the forefront of these developments. Some of the largest Ag reporters werent present for the discussion because they didnt have time to get there.. does Jack Fisher really want to continue to say this was planned? We are not idiots.


As for unanimity, who exactly was at the table? I dont hear leaders of the individual industries talking about what happened, all I hear is Jack Fisher telling us how the other leaders feel. perhaps a gag order is in place or more likely.the decision was not as well received as Jack Fisher wants us to believe.

Dont go on to tell Ohio voters that you want to ensure the boards integrity through this compromise and dont tell Ohio farmers that you want to continue to work together. Obviously the farmer wasnt good enough to give input in this discussion so your chance of working with them is over. I think its crystal clear that OFBF and Jack Fisher wont hesitate to turn their backs on those grassroots members that have made the organization strong. Dont say youre proud of Ohio voters for creating the board and in the next sentence tell them you dont have faith in their ability to make a sound decision this November. Pick a side and stick to it. The only way the OLCSB will maintain its integrity is if it throws OFBF out with yesterdays news and moves on without any further input from these out of touch representatives.

I have listened to it twice now and am unable to comprehend the rationale behind what Jack Fisher said about keeping farmers competitive. Maybe Im missing something but Im fairly certain Ohio farmers arent going to have a competitive edge by having HSUS run the show. Ohio would have had a competitive edge if it had ameliorated itself above the other states who folded to the pressures of HSUS. We wont have a competitive edge by doing what they have all done, at best well be equals but its more likely well be out of business. Jack Fisher said it would have been a hard battle but we could have won.so why exactly did he give up?

Finally, he closes by saying it was possible to go to the table as a result of the members hard work. As if the decision yesterday wasnt enough of a slap in the face hes now telling us that we enabled him? All of the success that farm bureau has comes from the farmers that are a part of it. Those farmers are what make OFBF not Jack Fisher. Those farmers deserve to be represented and that means you dont throw them under the bus when the road gets a little too rocky.

If Jack Fisher cant take the heat he can get out of the kitchen and allow a real representative for agriculture to take his place. He closes by admitting that HSUS has a mission to put us out of business and they have not backed away from their mission but he is ready to find common ground. How nice, so far that mentality has left the score with HSUS 1 Ohio Agriculture 0. We sure are off to a great start arent we?

Matthew Weeman
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In the last 24 hours I have talked to many members of Seneca County Farm Bureau as well as Jack Fisher, a State Board Member and I was interviewed by a mid-western regional radio station (brownfieldagnews.com). What I am finding out here in the county from our membership is an extremely high rate of dissatisfied members with this decision.

Yesterday I asked the question "Did the State Board know of this decision?". I now know that about 8 - 10 of the Board members started out against this decision and it ended up with only 2 Board members voting to oppose this compromise. I personally am very proud of those two and they should be highly commended for voting their conscience.

I have thought about OFBF's comments defending this decision and it brings to mind many questions.

* With OFBF and the OLC admitting that funding was the main issue, how is it that HSUS with unlimited funding would agree to negotiate and not take advantage of the situation?

* OFBF says that these changes in animal care practices were coming anyway. It wasn't until July 1st that I heard that information. I have tried to keep informed on this and it has been my understanding from the beginning that these practices had to be protected for the safety and well being of not only the farmer, but the animals themselves. This was also to protect our low cost, safe, locally produced food supply because these changes would increase the cost.

* It was said to me that our State Board was elected to represent us and that we should trust their decision (this was said by an OFBF employee) this is true to a point. Just as our current political situation has played out in the past year, the people made it clear to our politicians what they did not want to have happen; our political leaders ignored the message from the people, because they thought that since they were elected that they knew better than the people. This is the situation that we have here as I see it. So if the Board votes on an issue that the majority of the membership is opposed too, it is the duty of the membership to speak up and let the board know this and the duty of the Board to do what the membership wants. After all, isn't this a grassroots organization? In this case I believe it would have been prudent to have taken the time to survey the membership in some form to find out what they wanted to do before a decision was made on this issue because passions run so high and so many volunteers had sweat equity in this issue. They were all asked for their input on how to fight it.

* This agreement that is made with HSUS is not contractual. They can remove themselves from it at any time and take up their cause again. It would bring to question "Is this a strategy that HSUS is using and not a concession at all"? After all, they have not changed their mission statement, their goals or their agenda. When HSUS does this, will OFBF and the OLC have the backing of their membership?

* Some comments made to me yesterday by an out of state agricultural person was that they didn't trust HSUS as far as they could throw them. Also it was said that many states had been watching and looked up to OFBF and they were very shocked and disappointed in OFBF. I can recall at some meetings where OFBF staff were very proud that they had been called to be speakers in other states to teach them how to fight HSUS - probably won't be many more request for that!

* OFBF did a simple press release condemning the actions of abuse at a dairy farm in Ohio. I feel that we missed the boat because we could have turned that situation around to show the voters (who by the way I believe can make good decision just like they did with issue 2 if informed) how OFBF, the owner of that dairy as well as all farmers, were disgusted with and do not condone abuse of animals. All producers are as vigilant as humanly possible to make sure that those things don't happen in our own agricultural businesses. We could have turned a negative into a possitive.

I was asked if I was going to quit being a FB member. My response to that is "NO". I believe that FB has done many good things in the past. I am a fighter not a quitter. I would rather stay in the organization, respectfully state my case and listen respectfully to others with differing opinions. This will make us a stronger organization in the future. I would ask anyone that is thinking of quitting to please reconsider; instead of quitting get involved and have your voice heard.

Dwight L Clary
Seneca County Farm Bureau, OFBF and AFBF member flag as improper

Personally, I'm disappointed. I grew up with the Farm Bureau, attending summer camps from the time I was 12 until just two years ago, when I was too old for them anymore. I am still involved with the youth groups, and I keep up with the "adult" stuff (for lack of a better term). At the camps, we were told how wonderful the Farm Bureau was, how they tirelessly worked for the farmer's rights, and how what we said and did helped the Bureau achieve these aims.

I feel like I was lied to.

First and foremost, by having a closet meeting with the HSUS, I feel like farmers were betrayed. Why were we not told of this? Why couldn't we have a say in what these talks were? If the OFBF represents the farmer, shouldn't they have an understanding of what the farmer wants beforehand?

Then, by either not telling or not allowing for representatives of exotic animals and cat and dog breeders to be present at this meeting, we have destroyed any alliance we once had with these people. Many breeders accuse the OFBF of "throwing them under the bus", and I agree. They fought tooth and nail at farmer's sides through all of this, and in return we hand over their interests in order to save our own. The OFBF had better be ready to fight for them now, because it will be a long time before we are forgiven for this.

And, by allowing the HSUS to have a say in our Livestock Care Board, you might as well have just turned the whole darn thing over to them. We fought hard to get that board instated, and we fought to keep it a free third party, but now it has been tainted by political interests before it's even had a chance to act on anything. The board may as well have not existed at all. While compromise is noble, it wasn't in this case.

If there is any way to get us members involved and rework this "compromise", please do it, and soon. Otherwise, the uphill slope has just become a gentler one, but with a sheer cliff on the horizon. flag as improper

I am simply furious that the Governor and OFBF has sold out not only the farmers, but puppy breeders and exotics breeders! The dog fancy was not even represented in this underhanded deal with HSUS. What don't you all get? Look at California. What is the proper size of a cage for hens? NO CAGE AT ALL! HSUS will dictate every regulation for our farmers and with the 'puppy mill' bills, our good breeders that do more than breed one or two litters a year will also be wiped out. Exactly who was being represented in this agreement? HSUS is an underhanded organization and will not rest until all breeding and animal farming is forced out of business. It is their AGENDA! Of course they went away - for now! They got everything they wanted and MORE without a fight. I was so proud that Ohio had stood up for our farmers and against HSUS involvement and now we have all been sold out without our say! This should have been allowed to go to a ballot initiative. We would have had nothing to lose by allowing voters to once again decide; instead we have lost everything. Unbelievable! flag as improper

Not sure why so many of you claim that HSUS is an outside agitator. It's a national organization with lots of members in Ohio. I am a member and I live in Dayton. I helped collect those 500,000+ signatures to put the issues on the ballot for Ohio citizens to vote upon.

Ohio citizens don't walk CAFO's aka factory farms. They're bad for the environment, unbelievably cruel to animals, terrible neighbors, run a lot of small farmers out of business, produce unhealthy food.

Most of us who gathered signatures for the iniative were also surprised at the settlement and somewhat disappointed that Ohio citizens weren't able to cast their ballot. There was no doubt in our minds that the iniative would have passed resoundingly. Your reps also knew the issue would have passed once we got it on the ballot. (People would not have been mislead like they were when they voted for the Livestock Board last go-around.) Your reps knew they were backed up against the wall.

Anyone who supports CAFOs simply want to count living beings as just so many units of profit. You lost this time and you will lose again. You're right about one thing - we animal advocates won't stop. flag as improper

Diad Kinson, it is nice to have you as a part of the discussion because it allows the readers to see a different view. Could you please tell us a little about your involvement in Ohio agriculture? What is the last farm you have visited? Please tell me in your own words what you believe a CAFO is and allow me to ask you if you believe farming can be humane. Have you lived in Dayton your entire life? What is your experience with agriculture? As a member of HSUS what is your ultimate objective?

Mr. Clary, your attitude is great, it really is. There is only one problem; I dont think Ohio farmers can be united as long as the same leader that sold them out is continuing to call the shots. Jack Fisher needs to go, so that those who worked tirelessly for the organization can piece back together the trust that he shredded. After working so hard to promote agriculture and to make my voice heard how can I and others like me, honestly work as hard as we were before when theres always the risk that Jack Fisher will turn his back on us again. He made us all feel cheated, he makes us all look like liars and he managed to destroy in one meeting what it took most of us years to build. The OLCSB will also need to tell OFBF and the governor that they will not be signing off on this compromise; otherwise there really is nothing left for us, or OFBF to do.

Matthew Weeman
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Matthew, to answer your questions. I am a 60 year old life-long Ohio resident. I am not a farmer. I am a well-educated, well-read caring animal advocate, an attorney, and a member of HSUS and many other animal welfare and animal rights organizations. I am a vegetarian and don't wear leather. I live with a large group of domestic critters, dogs and cats. I am passionate about animal well-being.

A Confined Animal Feeding Operation, is a factory built for profit and complete "efficiency" in food production, with no regard for the welfare of living sentient beings. (Check out the movie Food, Inc. ). CAFO's cause extreme enviromental degradation, waste run-off into water, a huge volume of methane production, terrible odor (Does anyone really want to live next to a factory housing 6 million chickens? Everyone should be happy that joint's not coming to town!) Many of the animals are fed huge amounts of antibiotics because they are so stressed from the intensive confinement (you've read about humans developing antibiotic resistance?) CAFO's run a lot of smaller farmers out of business. Part of the HSUS endeavor on this issue involved presentations by small farmers to those of us gathering signtures for the initiative. These farmers were pro-initiative. Some of the CAFO's hire migrant laborers because no one else wants to work in all that ammonia.

I don't think farmers are inherently evil people (us animal rights people aren't either!) but I really really wonder how any one with any human decency at all can defend battery cages for chickens.

You ask some other good questions, and normally I would be happy to expound on my opinions (!) but hey, it's July 2, the Friday before a long weekend and I'm ready to go! I don't plan on sitting in front of a computer for many days!

Good weekend to all.


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I did not renew my membership to Farm Bureau this year. I no longer feel it represents me. The reason I did not renew my membership was because I contacted OFBF regarding their changing means of communication to primarily the internet, and because the questions on the issues have become leading and biased increasingly the past few years. I did not receive an answer when my membership was current. The people writing these questions clearly have their minds already made up on certain things. The people in the state office clearly don't have the time to consider my input. I happen to be the only person who was in my council who communicates with this organization via internet, even among those who have it. Now nobody in the council I was in has such contact.

I can stomach when an organization passes resolutions that I do not agree with, by voting. I cannot stomach an organization working hard to put together a livestock care board, getting Ohio voters to agree to it, then permit itself to be blackmailed by a special interest group's financial threats. When a current member called our local office today, they were told by someone in that office that the counties could not AFFORD to fight the HSUS. Never mind Issue 2. That group's gun to your head "validates" it? Not.

That isn't Democracy, and this organization no longer represents farmers. flag as improper

I Can not believe OFBF sold out the poultry , pork and veal farmers in Ohio I can believe they sold out the Exotic animal breeders and the Dog Breeders They have no say over Us any way I am a Exotic breeder I have had to fight HSUS, Peta and Last Chance Animal Rights for over 20 years They have done what they always do Spit Conquer and Divide
Its easier for them knock of singles than a group most farmers have know Ideal what they are up against This year alone after the Exotic Sale I had three shot fired at my house by Last Chance called the cops was told would be out when they can to may call would take a report over the phone makes you feel safe Gov. Strickland and the OFBF should have never gave HSUS a inch of ground when you do they take a mile Gov. Strickland is up for reelection this year we can get rid of him as for the OFBF maybe the need to clean house and go back to helping the Ohio Farmers not stabbing them in the Back The US Government needs to label HSUS and Peta what they are Terriost group and a threat to home land security I wish every farmer in would call Stricklands office and tell him how wrong he was 614-466-3555
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Diad, part of what makes this nation great is that everyone is allowed to disagree. I will preface these remarks by saying I understand, as an active member of HSUS, you believe you are doing the right thing and you are not going to waver in your opinions. However, I would like to take a minute to respond to what you wrote. I asked you a few questions and you answered some of them. I hope that you will come back to respond to the others.

You define a CAFO as a factory that disregards animal welfare in the name of profits and efficiency. As a well educated attorney you say youve read many books that have lead you to this opinion. Would you mind sharing a few of the titles with me? Is it truly your belief that these factory farms disregard all welfare of that animal? An animal completely neglected and uncared for will not produce. Any producer who neglects the welfare of their animals knows very well that animal will not grow efficiently and will cause them to lose large sums of money. After reading your remarks I must question your knowledge about this as neglecting animal welfare and maximizing profits are by all means impossible. You refer me to Food Inc. which I have seen. I find it strange that an attorney criticizing the money hungry agricultural industry is going to quote a video produced by multi-million dollar organizations such as HSUS and multi-million dollar companies like Chipotle; especially when HSUS and Chipotle have made their biased missions quite clear and both have made, and will continue to make a lot of money on the hysteria produced by that film. Please find a more neutral source for your information.

I consider the farm I grew up on to be very small. Our family farm was milking less than 60 cows when I began college and currently were still milking less than 80. Does this constitute a CAFO in your mind? By your definition a CAFO is any farm that causes pollution, produces methane and has an odor. All animals, including you, produce methane. All living beings produce pollution, which is simply any resource out of place in our environment. I dont think many would know that we have a farm if we planted trees to obscure the view. However, when we spread the manure theres going to be a bit of an odor and we work with our neighbors to make sure we dont cause them unnecessary inconvenience. When we put that manure on the ground, its very difficult to ensure that 100% of it stays put. Were close, but as you know, the only things 100% in this world are death and taxes. You asked me who would want to live next to a farm with 6 million chickens and I guess my answer to that is, the farmers that care for those animals and the people who enjoy eating them.

HSUS is using environmental protection as a key talking point. When you go to the grocery store and buy light bulbs, which kind do you purchase? When you shop for an oven in the store do you purchase the energy star appliance or the older refurbished option on sale? When you are driving long distances do you take the scenic route to get where you are going or do you take an interstate when it is available? If you buy the new spiral light bulb, purchase the car with the best gas mileage or take the interstate you are choosing to produce light, food and transportation in the most efficient, environmentally friendly manner. If you take the alternative approach to any of those selections you are choosing a less efficient more environmentally detrimental option.

This is exactly what we have in agriculture. Confinement agriculture is not about torturing animals, it is not about making people uncomfortable, it is not designed to neglect the environment in any way. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Confinement agriculture combined with modern technologies allows our farmers to produce food in the most efficient manner possible. Confinement agriculture keeps people comfortable because it allows them to choose a life in the city surrounded by all a metropolitan area has to offer or a life in the country surrounded by agriculture and open land. Confinement agriculture is designed to keep animals as comfortable as possible while reducing inputs, reducing outputs, lowering pollution and its carbon footprint. Confinement agriculture keeps people happy because it gives them a safe, plentiful food supply that allows them to continue their lives uninhibited. Who do you know that lives by a CAFO and how exactly have you been impacted by one? From the sounds of things you only know what you have read in a book and that book hasnt provided you with a very clear definition of what a CAFO really is.

You say CAFOs are running a lot of smaller farmers, like me, out of business. Im really not sure that is true. Yes a CAFO is more efficient than my farm is, yes they are making greater returns, but, the reality is family farms are still the majority in this nation. This is a way of life for people that enjoy taking care of animals and if the market allows it, they can make a living. As an attorney you should know about using a little more due process before you place blame. Tell me, does my farm being less than 80 cows, in and of itself, mean they are better cared for than the dairy up the road with 3,000, 4,000, 5,000..20,000 or more? The answer to that is absolutely not. The quality of care an animal receives depends completely on the management of the farm. We take great care of our cows because we love them and we owe to them everything we have. I know many producers who are milking 10 times as many cows that feel the same way. All of them take care of their animals because those animals take care of them.

Should cities be outlawed? How about cars? Should you be taxed every time you accidentally burp? Surely, a city produces extreme amounts of pollution and cars are pouring methane into our environment and when your body completes the physiological processes involved with digestion you are a direct part of that pollution. Cities are good because they allow for efficiencies that cant come from other ways of life. People being close together can do more, in a more efficient manner. However, if every person in Columbus spread out across the nation the amount of pollution they collectively produce wont decrease, in fact, it will increase. The point I am making is that animals kept together arent polluting more than animals spread out across the landscape; in fact, they are collectively producing less pollution which you inherently agree with when you say a CAFO is defined by efficiency. There is a trade off to all of this which is what you and your organization are continually assaulting agriculture with. Just as a city has an increased, localized amount of pollution a farm with more animals will have more localized pollution as well. If this pollution is managed responsibly with waste water treatment plants or large amounts of field space appropriate for the amount of waste produced, the impact from this localized source of pollution will in fact, be less than if those areas werent highly concentrated and didnt have resources available to deal with the pollution produced.

Putting animals out on range introduces a whole host of environmentally detrimental factors from erosion to disease and as a well educated veterinary student who has completed an Animal Science curriculum and life sciences minor I can tell you more disease is not going to be good for humans, animals or our environment.

You further your position against CAFOs by saying migrant workers are working there because there is too much ammonia. I dont want to open this up to a philosophical discussion about the unjust social implications of that statement but I will focus on what pertains to agriculture. Migrant workers work on farms because the government facilitates it in multiple forms, typically because most Americans simply dont enjoy working that hard for the amount of money they will make. As I said, farmers have a passion for what they do, without it; no amount of money would make them do their difficult job and the Americans that continually turn their nose up at the work simply solidifies that fact. Im especially interested in your statement about small farmers who are pro-initiative working with HSUS. If you and HSUS really do believe all farmers are not evil why is it that you wont purchase meat products and leather products from these small farmers that you claim to support? If they are able to come to your meetings they are certainly able to provide you with local, environmentally friendly food products. You were willing to answer the easy questions but when it came time to explain your true position, you fell short, claiming weekend festivities. Would it have taken a lot of your time to tell me and the other readers that you do believe agriculture can indeed be humane? How much time does it take to tell me what HSUSs ultimate objective is? A recap of their mission statement would have sufficed. I suspect the reason you didnt have time to answer was simply a convenient position to take.

The issue of antibiotic resistance also reared its ugly head in your comments. I must say I chuckled a little bit when you asked if I have read any books on the topic. Indeed I have, its a pretty large part of what doctors and veterinarians do. In fact, Ive done more than read about it. I am currently researching it. I can tell you this, antibiotic resistance is definitely occurring. I can also tell you it would be wise for all of us to reduce the amount of antibiotics in our environment. What I do not have answers for is whether or not antibiotic resistance is occurring as a result of antibiotic usage in food animals. Logically that would make sense so I see the concern but Im not willing to risk killing thousands of animals or jeopardizing human health on a whim. I, like many others, are working to get answers for you. In the meantime if youre able to put down the PEW Commission Report and look at some truly objective research youll realize none of us have the answers. Bacteria are pretty miraculous when you think about it. As an attorney, you know all too well its not fair to blame one specific individual for the whole worlds problems. Last I checked there are a lot of murderers, rapists and other no-goods in prison. I have never murdered or raped anyone and am therefore not a murderer or a rapist. There are bad people in this world; there are bad farmers in this world. All of us, as you know, are innocent until proven guilty and I dont see why you are okay with placing the blame of antibiotic resistance on just food animal agriculture when no one has the answers and everyone is a part of the solution.

Im not sure how someone who supports an organization that has lead to the unnecessary starvation, neglect and death of thousands of horses in this nation can really preach human decency but what makes you think I support battery cages, veal crates or gestation crate usage? As a veterinary student Im being trained to be the expert voice for animal welfare. I continually formulate a position on these practices based upon sound science, research and personal experience, something you have completely failed to do. I support practices that are humane for animals both physically and mentally and I believe it is important to consider humans when we make these decisions. Other production methods are available and the individual commodity groups were moving to more socially acceptable production methods without the involvement of HSUS. Unfortunately we are having this discussion today because these commodity groups and HSUS screwed up and handed the trophy of their accomplishments to HSUS. I personally believe we have a lot of room for improvement, but we cant let well educated book reading, biased attorneys do our jobs. How long would it take me to read books about law to be better at your job than you are? I dont really want to set foot in a court room, Id rather not go to a lecture hall and Im not that interested in hearing anything that conflicts my personal views on the subject but I would like you to provide me with a set of resources from the library that will allow me to become the authoritative expert on U.S. law. Can you do that for me? Of course you cant. It is extremely important to be directly involved before we take a position, drive initiatives and collect signatures. If you were the veterinarian burying the dead horses all over this nation you probably wouldnt be so quick to support HSUS.

You told me that you live with a house full of domestic critters. Are you aware that a home is not a natural environment for a cat, dog or any of those other critters (unless youre referring to dust bunnies)? In your closing remarks you referred to yourself as an animal rights activist. Isnt it true that by removing your pets from their natural environment you are depriving them of their rights? You said you have cats (plural). Are you aware that tigers are naturally solitary animals that live 15 years in the wild? Many of our domesticated cats begin to show signs of decreased health after age 7 and a lot of them do not live 15 years. How would you feel if I made it illegal to keep multiple cats confined in the unnatural environment of your house, especially when they typically die sooner than their closest wild ancestors? Ive read some books and when I look at the facts it seems as though our domesticated pets arent quite as happy as their wild ancestors left to fend for themselves in the harsh outdoors. I think your cat is probably very happy where it is at. Can you tell me for certain that it is impossible for our cows, pigs, chickens, veal calves and others to be happy where they are at?

I enjoy talking with activists, I dont think you are evil I think you are misinformed and mislead, Wayne Pacelle has stated he would rather never see another dog or cat born, you better consult your leader to see if you and him are on the same page Diad because like Ohio agriculture saw this week, it is very possible for your leader to betray you. People cannot be experts at everything and when none of us are able to talk to the animals we should probably be cautious about calling for the elimination of them, just in case, they may not be happy. I will let you practice law; please let our expert veterinarians take care of the animals.

Matthew Weeman
Wayne County


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I have to agree 100 percent with Matthew Weeman.
I am not a farmer. I grew up on a farm. I keep and breed exotic birds and I do not live in Ohio. However, I and many others around the US have been watching what is occurring in Ohio with the HSUS attempt to obtain control of Ohio farm management practices. Indeed, I was beyond dismayed to discover that the Ohio Farm Bureau had capitulated so early in the process, giving up the interests of Ohio farmers and additionally, throwing the dog and exotic animal breeders under the bus. I don't see how the Ohio Farm Bureau can speak for the exotic animal owners and the dog breeders and agree to meet the demands of the HSUS.

It appears Daid Kinson has had little actual experience with farms, farm animals and farm animal management. This is an ongoing problem with the urban and suburban folks who no longer know where their food is produced nor how it is done. Neither do they understand where their pets came from or how they were raised, nor what optimum conditions are for these animals. The HSUS has been extremely successful in using their emotional hooks to draw in people who care about animals. With appeals to their compassion for animals, the HSUS has drawn thousands into the net of animal rights. What is truly unfortunate for these animal lovers is that the HSUS does not care about animals, the HSUS cares about dollars.

Daid Kinson needs to do a lot more research...visit www.bewareanimalradicals.com and simply read how HSUS behaved during Katrina. OR how HSUS behaved re the Vick dogs. Or how HSUS constantly sues federal agencies to force them to use regulations in ways which conform to the HSUS agenda.

Being an educated person, Kinson needs to do more research and see exactly where the HSUS is going. Read A Rat Is A Pig Is A Dog Is A Boy and you will get a better perspective on the HSUS agenda and on its consequences for the human race.

Ohio Farmers, I hope and pray you stand up and speak your minds about this betrayal. To let the Ohio Farm Bureau to continue on as if nothing has happened would be a terrible mistake. Fight for your rights. Fight for your farms and your animals. Otherwise, you will lose it all...HSUS will be back, year in and year out, till all are gone. That is their mission and their agenda. Make no mistake about it. flag as improper

The HSUS does not validate the Livestock Care Standards Board. This board was created as a shield against the HSUS and it turns out to be a door that they just open wide. flag as improper

Matthew Weeman makes some great, valuable points. There are many individuals in our state alone that do not fully understand what the HSUS is about or Wayne Pacelle's agenda. They are misled by pictures of worse case scenarios; I have seen some of those pictures myself and heard the pitch. I'm not saying that everyone is a saint that owns animals. We all know there are facilities all around the country that need improvements. We should work as a team to help out the animals, whether livestock, pet or exotic. Educate the owners what they are doing wrong and help them get it right. But offering up ALL of Ohio to HSUS demands is unjust.

Anyone that owns a animal should do the research into the HSUS and statements made by Mr. Pacelle himself. "We have no ethical obligation to preserve the different breeds of livestock produced through selective breeding. One generation and out. We have no problem with the extinction of domestic animals. They are creations of human selective breeding." Wayne Pacelle, Senior VP of Humane Society of the US, formerly of Friends of Animals and Fund for Animals, Animal People News, May, 1993.

Yes you read correctly, he did not limit it to just the Dog or Exotic Animals, he included ALL livestock. Get all the facts before you make a decision based on pictures from someplace or a speech from a good salesperson. The issue is on our doorstep, its no longer an article in a newspaper or 15 second news announcement. Its here and it has to be dealt with.
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I think agreements like this made with HSUS or any other groups will be proven over time to be the begining of the end of animal agriculture in Ohio. We are being done in by the very people who clame to represent our intrests. We have all talked to hundreds of people over the last year or two about just who HSUS is. All of us have had our credibility revoked by this agreement. Cerdibility that will never be regained.

I also predict this move will deplete our membership making it even harder to fight groups like this in the future.

What I dont understand is why OFBF made this deal? We gave up proven methods in raising livestock forever for a one year hiatus on a ballot? Is this not tantamount to an admission that these methods were in fact crual? So what if HSUS says the Care Standards Board is the best way to handle animal care and treatment. These people know nothing about animal care anyways. They are just a group of radical elites with an ajenda to do away with all animals in ag, or as pets ect.. Dose anyone out there think for one minute this will stop them? This will only embolden them. This is incromental. a little here, a little there, and before you know it, we've given it all away.

Why do we constantly in this country fold under pressure from people in the minority of thinking? Thats what these people are, they are only a small number in there way of thinking. What ever happened to fighting like an American?


I would also like to join in the calls for the resignations of all of the people involved in this decision at the OFBF. This was a betrayal of trust to all of the membership that should have grave consequences.


Brad Bowerman
Seneca County
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I was very disappointed when I heard that we OFBF bowed down and kissed their (HSUS) (expletive removed by site monitor). Then we jumped into bed with them. Wayne made the statement on TV where he said that the OFBF is going to work with us, then several times he said that they (HSUS) is going to work OFBF. It makes me sick to think I will be working with such and (expletive removed by site monitor). He talks a good sotry, and would make a good politition. He talks out of both sides of his mouth. You can tell when he is lying, when you see his lips moving. HSUS got just what they wanted, only it won't take place after the elections. But in 2015-2017-2025 they will. We fought long and hard to pass issue #2 last year. Our county put $12000 into the fight. Money that could have been better spent on ice cream. The State of Ohio and OFBF has let us all down. I can't figure out why our good Gov. Ted Strickland didn't tell HSUS to get out of Ohio and stay out. There is no way that this agreement wil help farmers. We do the best we can with what we have to work with. We can't afford to make changes just make some (expletive removed by site monitor) from DC happy. Their goal is not to protect animals, it is to make you and I a vegen. I could go on and on, but I need to think about something else. Paul Wilde Trumbull County flag as improper

Thanks again for all your continued comments/questions.

Our next issue of Buckeye Farm News will be taking many of your issues/concerns into context with expanded coverage of this story. The issue will be mailed later this week, with its stories appearing here on OFBF.org by the end of the week.

Also, just a reminder to please keep comments and conversation on this site clean, civil and transparent. For clarification on Ohio Farm Bureau's posting guidelines, please see: http://ofbf.org/privacy-policy/.

Comments/posts deemed inappropriate in regards to the policy mentioned in the paragraph above, may be edited or removed from the site.

Ohio Farm Bureau appreciates and encourages your continued engagement on this subject.

- Dan Toland, OFBF Staff
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I'm wondering how you and Jack Fisher are going to get this much egg off your faces. Go to www.humanewatch.org and learn something about the HSUS. Didn't your mother teach you how to deal with smooth talkers? flag as improper

Governor Strickland and every functionary involved in this should be shoving the HSUS out of Ohio at gunpoint. There is no innocent reason to be treating with them and these days there is no reason to be uninformed about what they are and what they are doing.

You should have told the public what the HSUS really was. That would derail their plans really good, if you learned about their participation in terrorism, learned that they help animal rights activists including people who have set buildings on fire, and if you had come out and told everyone. There is no way that you can explain this away. flag as improper

I found this article from Farm Bureau to be quite interesting: It is from June 12, 2009

http://ofbf.org/news-and-events/news/308/

In it Joe Cornely tells a poster that OFBF has no intentions of compromising with HSUS and that he must be confused with the Ohio Farmers Union.

I think it's interesting that OFBF came full circle in just a little over one year. I also find it interesting that OFBF was responding to questions on their website a year ago. I guess the answers were a little easier to give at that time.

It's been quite some time and we really haven't heard a lot from OFBF following this agreement. I for one can not wait to read the response in the next Buckeye Farm News issue.

Jack Fisher and many others need to resign.

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I have one other request: Tell the public every word that was said in the negotiations with the HSUS. This should have been done on the record, on camera, and broadcast. No one is going to think of the people who negotiated with terrorists as honest when they held the meeting in secret, did not announce it in advance, did not invite reporters to cover the meeting, and did not have some of the general public as witnesses.

Secret meetings are simply criminal, whether a law has been violated or not. This was a secret meeting, unless I am mistaken. No one saw it coming, when essentially the HSUS has given the state of Ohio its marching orders. The state isn't allowed to have secret meetings with itself, let alone a pressure group. flag as improper

Like many others, I suffered shock and awe when I read about the agreement with HSUS.

I also suffered feelings of betrayal by an organization to whom I pay dues. I campaigned for this organization when it promised to fight HSUS with the ballot initiative to create the Care Standards Board. I personally contacted my non-farming friends and made it a point to educate them. I even fielded calls from friends of friends and did the same.

I feel like a fool. These people voted according to the information I passionately gave them -- they supported me and the entire farming community (in Ohio and beyond). And how did you thank them??? I was proud to be a farmer in Ohio and thought we would be setting the standard for other states to deal with HSUS. NOT.

Don't even say this was the right decision. They only had 100 signatures more than they needed. Statistically, they would not have had enough to put the new initiative on the ballot. Even if they did, was the 2 to 1 victory for the last initiative not enough courage for you?

I am no longer proud. I'm trying to decide what to say to my friends that supported US. Thanks for nothing. Nothing is what you will get when it comes time to renew my membership with dues.

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