Menu

The following organizations are housed in Ohio Farm Bureau's Business Services department and provide specialized support to farmers. OFBF provides the organizations contract management services in order to partner with them on specific issues:

Mid-American Ag and Hort Services (MAAHS) added Kentucky to its service area in 2003 with the addition of the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation as a Sponsor Member. MAAHS also added new member services to assist employers with pre-employment screening; drug screening; internet-based training for topics such as sexual harassment, discrimination, rightful termination and more; human resource and payroll software especially configured for MAAHS; small group seminars to cover topics using an in-depth and practical approach; and a permanent resident visa program.

More than 5,000 livestock producers have participated in the Livestock Environmental Assurance Program (LEAP), coordinated and administered by the Ohio Livestock Coalition (OLC). LEAP helps farmers economically address environmental challenges on their farms. Additionally, OLC has received a positive response to LEAP Pasture, a new curriculum for livestock producers whose operations are primarily pasture or grazing oriented. OLC updated the 1995 version of "Guidelines for Livestock Operations" and created a new good neighbor policy for livestock farmers, rural residents and country dwellers, "It Takes Two." The organization developed its own Web site, www.OhioLivestock.org.

Ohio Land Improvement Contractors Association (OLICA) developed a new Web site member directory, available at www.olica.org, constructed a wetland research and education facility at Malabar Farm State Park and made contacts in Washington, D.C, as part of the national LICA Congressional Contact Program.

Using resources from its USDA Specialty Crop Grant, the Ohio Christmas Tree Association completed a CD ROM Media and Christmas Tree Ambassador Kit. Media coverage of Ohio's Christmas tree producers increased by 400 percent. Nearly 1 million people discovered more about Ohio’s Christmas tree growers at public events throughout Ohio.

More than 3,000 customers are saving $560,000 annually on their electricity costs, and more than 100 large agri-businesses are saving more than $2.7 million on their natural gas fuel costs thanks to OFBF energy programs.

The Ohio Fruit Growers Society cooperated with the Ohio Apple Marketing Program using USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant funds to promote Ohio apples and educate consumers about the lifelong health benefits of eating apples. The group also developed a new slogan, "Ohio Apples – The Best Thing Growing." The Ohio Vegetable and Potato Growers Association also used USDA grant funds to sponsor two media tours of wholesale vegetable producers and direct farm market operations. The organization also created an Ohio Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Harvest Calendar to help consumers learn about fresh fruit and vegetable availability.