Reporters, please visit our news room located in the Media and Publications section of this site.
![[160x120]_oh_statehouse8.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_oh_statehouse8.jpg)
House Bill (HB) 473, a bill proposing rules on how much water farms and factories in Ohio can draw from Lake Erie, passed the Ohio House of Representatives April 25 with a vote of 59-38.
![[160x120]_yapdcresized.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_yapdcresized.jpg)
Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Agricultural Professionals program is accepting applications for its annual Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience program.
![[160x120]_afbf_color13.gif](/uploads/[160x120]_afbf_color13.gif)
Numerous provisions of the Senate Agriculture Committee’s draft farm bill follow the American Farm Bureau Federation’s core principles for “rational, acceptable farm policy,” but there is room for adjustments to improve the legislation. American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman delivered that message to Senate Agriculture Committee leaders in a letter today following a meeting of the organization’s board of directors.
![[160x120]_Kasich1.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_Kasich1.jpg)
Gov. John Kasich recently met with the OFBF board of trustees about issues facing Ohio, including his proposal to modernize Ohio’s severance tax system to keep up with new oil and gas production.
![[160x120]_StMarys11.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_StMarys11.jpg)
Ohio Farm Bureau helped out on a state report that makes dozens of recommendations on how to decrease the impact of agricultural nutrients entering Ohio’s streams and water resources.
![[160x120]_consumer_milk.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_consumer_milk.jpg)
What do you think? Ohio Farm Bureau has been an organization that brings people together to build relationships, share ideas and ultimately solve problems. Are you being represented in this conversation?
Research foundation bill proposed, Federal estate tax reform bills introduced
In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court recently sided with landowners who were denied their day in court after the EPA ordered them to stop construction on what the agency said was a wetland.
![[160x120]_Peterson_oath.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_Peterson_oath.jpg)
Former OFBF President Bob Peterson finds himself in a new leadership role.
Ag Districts can be a great way for farmers to receive legal protections for some farming activities, but property owners need to be aware that annexation can potentially cause problems.
![[160x120]_AgisCool3.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_AgisCool3.jpg)
The program at the Ohio State Fair includes interactive stations and helps showcase the way agriculture impacts the lives of Ohioans. There are many opportunities for county Farm Bureau involvement.
![[160x120]_tornado320x240.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_tornado320x240.jpg)
The Bethel, Ohio, home of Richard and Virginia Meyer had been filled with memories. But now it is nothing but a memory.
![[160x120]_watch_seeds_grow2.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_watch_seeds_grow2.jpg)
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is encouraging Ohio agriculture organizations with environmental education projects to apply for grants from the Ohio Environmental Education Fund.
The camp is open to high school students (must have at least finished freshman year) and is June 22-25. The cost is $130 with limited scholarships available.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2012 Conservation Farm Family Awards. The awards program through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is co-sponsored by 'Ohio Farmer' magazine and the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.
![[160x120]_hastings320x240.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_hastings320x240.jpg)
Americans have increasing concerns about their food, from the farm to the fork. And farmers can be a valuable part of the conversation.
![[160x120]_Animal_Ag_202.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_Animal_Ag_202.jpg)
Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and Ohio State University Extension teamed up to host more than 150 first-responders at the Animal Agriculture 202 seminar April 12. The daylong seminar trained attendees on the proper handling of large animals in times of crisis.
![[160x120]_OFBF_AM2011_YAPs_052.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_OFBF_AM2011_YAPs_052.jpg)
Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Ag Professionals program is now accepting applications for its Advisory Team.
![[160x120]_OAIOBresize.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_OAIOBresize.jpg)
Ohio Farm Bureau will be holding a horticulture competition open to all county Farm Bureaus during the 2012 Ohio State Fair. The competition provides an opportunity to showcase agriculture in each of Ohio’s 88 counties through its theme, “Agriculture in our backyard.”
![[160x120]_ofbf_logo_1.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_ofbf_logo_1.jpg){kind=logo}
Two Ohio Farm Bureau youths have been selected to be on the Junior Fair Board of the Ohio State Fair.
![[160x120]_OFBF_AM2011_DiscMeet_006.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_OFBF_AM2011_DiscMeet_006.jpg)
Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Agricultural Professionals program is accepting entries for the 2012 Discussion Meet contest. Entry forms are due June 29.
![[160x120]_Ohio_Map.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_Ohio_Map.jpg)
Twenty-nine counties have attained Pacesetter status, setting the stage for them to achieve membership gain by the end of the campaign year. The Pacesetter award is for counties that had at least 93 percent of active farmer membership by March 31.
![[160x120]_fresh_local_produce_320x240.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_fresh_local_produce_320x240.jpg)
April Northwest Ohio Ag-Business Breakfast Forum to discuss the agricultural benefits of the buying local trend in the state, and what Ohio Farm Bureau has to offer.
![[160x120]_1.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_1.jpg)
Although it was a small conference, the East Region Leadership Conference had a big impact on attendees. On March 31, county Farm Bureaus in the east region came together for a new conference that targeted members who normally do not attend typical Ohio Farm Bureau Federation training events.
![[160x120]_vegetables_320x2401.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_vegetables_320x2401.jpg)
Ohio Farm Bureau and the Ohio Produce Growers and Marketers Association have been working on legislation that would establish a framework for voluntary marketing agreements that set production standards for certain agricultural products.
![[160x120]_farm_votes_matter_320.gif](/uploads/[160x120]_farm_votes_matter_320.gif)
With the primary elections over, county Farm Bureaus are planning open seat screenings for races across the state.
![[160x120]_IMG_30391.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_IMG_30391.jpg)
A $3,000 grant from the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation is helping break down barriers that are keeping farmers from accessing markets and consumers from fresh local foods. Rural Action will use the funds to purchase a truck to be part of a food distribution system.
![[160x120]_BFeNews_320x240.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_BFeNews_320x240.jpg)
No matter where, when or how it's read, the new Buckeye Farm eNews delivers the weekly headlines, and valuable time-saving relevancy. Sign up today.
![[160x120]_AgDays_FairfieldCounty_320x240.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_AgDays_FairfieldCounty_320x240.jpg)
Spring is heating up, and so are the opportunities, activities and events of Ohio's county Farm Bureaus. Scholarships, Oil & Gas Informational Meetings, Local Ag Days and more dot this month's County Farm Bureau Round-Up.
![[160x120]_policy_ann_mtg1.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_policy_ann_mtg1.jpg)
Ohio Farm Bureau is directed by its members. They define the positions the organization takes on issues affecting farmers and rural residents through an annual policy development process. The grassroots process leads to the creation of policy positions that guide legislative and regulatory action.
![[160x120]_oh_statehouse7.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_oh_statehouse7.jpg)
Legislation has been introduced in the Ohio Statehouse to make capital appropriations for the current biennium, and funding for Clean Ohio Agricultural Easements was not included in the legislation.Ohio Farm Bureau staff continues to work on alternative vehicles for this priority.
![[160x120]_DSCN22801.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_DSCN22801.jpg)
Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s policy development process has begun and will continue through December. One part of the policy development process, advisory teams, has been meeting throughout March.
![[160x120]_feeder_lambs_09_with_Curt.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_feeder_lambs_09_with_Curt.jpg)
After 10 years of holding as many as 14 live demonstration programs throughout the state, sheep and goat farmers in Ohio now have a way to keep more farmers across the state up-to-date on the latest sheep and goat information.
![[160x120]_latta_thanked.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_latta_thanked.jpg)
Members of the Ohio Republican congressional delegation submitted a letter and a booklet of hundreds of comments to Labor Secretary Hilda Solis from constituents who oppose the proposed rulemaking that would limit the activities children can participate in on family farms.
![[160x120]_SMV-SIS.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_SMV-SIS.jpg)
As farmers prepare to spend long hours in the tractor seat, they should also ensure they have proper signage on their tractor. Ohio Farm Bureau Director of Legal Education Leah Curtis said Farm Bureau offices have been receiving calls from members looking for signs. She offers some reminders.
![[160x120]_2500Reward.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_2500Reward.jpg)
James Secrest of Caldwell was presented with a $2,500 reward check for information he provided to the Muskingum County Sherriff’s office.
![[160x120]_Buying_Local_Lorain_320x240.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_Buying_Local_Lorain_320x240.jpg)
Farm Bureau members selling agricultural products directly to consumers are able to have a free business listing on the 'Our Ohio' Buying Local Directory.
![[160x120]_Sykes_Batchelder.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_Sykes_Batchelder.jpg)
The constitutional review process typically lasts several years. While the topics have not been determined yet, both the co-chairs believe the commission will address redistricting, term limits, home rule, judicial elections, taxes and citizen initiated changes to the constitution.
![[160x120]_weidner.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_weidner.jpg)
Matching up elementary and high school students with Ohio’s largest industry is the goal of a proposed regional STEM school that would focus on agriculture in urban areas.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s “Clean Water Act Protection Guide” is one step closer to being implemented; An interactive website launched by the American Farm Bureau Federation for Agriculture last year to celebrate century farms will be expanded with more articles and videos,
The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that the Ohio Power Siting Board acted properly in approving the construction and operation of a wind farm in Champaign County, a finding that had been encouraged by Ohio Farm Bureau.
![[160x120]_farm_votes_matter_3201.gif](/uploads/[160x120]_farm_votes_matter_3201.gif)
With the March primary over, it is the perfect time for Ohio Farm Bureau members to reach out to their political candidates.
![[160x120]_jack_formal_320x24010.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_jack_formal_320x24010.jpg)
Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President John C. (Jack) Fisher will become vice chair of the Ohio State University Board of Trustees. His term will begin in April. Fisher originally joined the OSU board in 2006 and his term runs through 2013.
Homeowners are often unaware that flood damage is not covered by their home insurance. Flood insurance is the single best way you can protect yourself from flood losses. Here are a few facts regarding floods and the National Flood Insurance Program.
![[160x120]_Our_Take_BFN_320x2402.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_Our_Take_BFN_320x2402.jpg)
A video for the burrito chain Chipotle that received millions of views on YouTube got another bump when it aired on national television during the Grammy Awards.
![[160x120]_Ag_Day_163.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_Ag_Day_163.jpg)
Fairfield and Hocking County Farm Bureaus will be hosting Ag Days April 14 and 15 at the Hocking County Fairgrounds. Ag Days is a free event held to share the importance of agriculture in communities, and several thousand attend this two-day event each year.
![[160x120]_graduation1.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_graduation1.jpg)
Ohio Farm Bureau’s AgriPOWER Institute, a leadership and advocacy development program designed specifically for farmers and agribusiness professionals, held a graduation ceremony March 17 for the 19 participants of Class IV.
![[160x120]_oil_gas_32212_BFN_320x240.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_oil_gas_32212_BFN_320x240.jpg)
As oil and gas exploration spreads to new parts of Ohio, farmers think through impacts.
![[160x120]_ofbf_logo_11.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_ofbf_logo_11.jpg){kind=logo}
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency today announced their recommendations for reducing excess agricultural nutrients from affecting or entering the western basin of Lake Erie.
![[160x120]_IMG_6308.jpg](/uploads/[160x120]_IMG_6308.jpg)
Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Daniels and other agriculture leaders celebrated Ohio Agriculture Day Thursday with visits to three Ohio agribusinesses: Blue Grass Farms, Central Ohio Logistics Center, and Feed the World, LLC. All three play a large role in Ohio’s global agriculture reach.