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by Seth Teter

It was a busy start to the month for 21 Ohio farmers who were able to see firsthand how national agricultural policy is developed during the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) emerging leaders trip to Washington D.C.

The trip, in its first year, is aimed at showing farmers how they can make a positive impact on agriculture through political participation and how they can make their voice heard from the local to the national level through involvement with OFBF. Participants were chosen by their counties for contributions they have made to farming.

"Your visit here is very, very timely. My goodness is there a lot going on," said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns after unexpectedly dropping in during the group’s visit to USDA offices.

With President Bush releasing budget proposals early last week, potential cuts to the 2006 Farm Bill received a lot of attention during the visit.

U.S. Rep. John Boehner, who serves Ohio’s 8th district and is vice chairman of the House Agricultural Committee, said the question is not what cuts will be made, but what farmers will do about it.

"We need to collectively have a vision of what the federal government’s role ought to be in your business," he said.

At the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) offices, Mark Maslyn, AFBF executive director of public policy, said that maintaining the integrity and funding of the next farm bill is a top priority and that AFBF has strength that other lobbying organizations lack because of its grassroots membership.

Maslyn added that building relationships in Washington is the most important thing AFBF does and that farmers establishing relationships locally, such as calling their congressman, is an effective way to make their voices heard.

Harold Swain, an Ashland County Farm Bureau member and dairy producer, said it was reassuring to see people fighting for Ohio agriculture in the nation’s capital.

"We’ve got a lot of influence," he said. "They recognize Ohio is there."

Regarding rising energy costs, the group was told to expect high prices to persist in the near future.

"No relief there I think is the big news," said Joe Glauber, USDA deputy chief economist.

During a joint breakfast with members of the Ohio Corn Growers Association, Elizabeth Bellville, legislative assistant for U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, said while an energy bill and new technology will help, there is no quick solution for bringing natural gas prices down.

There was enthusiasm among corn growers following the president saying in his State of the Union address there is a need to pursue uses for ethanol.

Boehner said that from a policy standpoint there is no question the use of ethanol will increase and that Ohio needs to take the steps to begin ethanol production.

The group was also able to learn about international policy issues including immigration, trade and homeland security during the trip.

"In the broad sense, we need immigration to fill jobs," Boehner said.

He said that because the quality of life in America will continue to attract immigrants, efforts should be aimed at increasing guest worker programs and making them work better.

A stop at the Canadian Embassy was particularly timely with the re-opening of the Canadian border to live cattle scheduled for March 7.

Ron Krystynak, agriculture counselor for the Canadian Embassy, stressed the importance of trade between the United States and Canada and said basing all decisions on science will maintain international credibility.

Regarding national security, Brent Gattis, deputy chief of staff for the House Agriculture Committee, said as border inspectors focus more on terrorism it is important they still carry out their original mission in agriculture by preventing the introduction of foreign animal and plant pests and diseases.

At the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, participants learned the importance of taking a pro-active approach in ensuring that proper policies are implemented.

"I think we need to challenge ourselves very seriously not to look at problems but to look at opportunities," said Jon Scholl, U.S EPA agriculture adviser.

Scholl, who worked for the Illinois Farm Bureau for 25 years, said that farmers can have an impact on the decisions that affect them by putting people with agricultural backgrounds in leadership positions and by developing relationships rather than getting defensive when challenges arise.

"The first thing I would strongly suggest is going on the offense – doing things like you’re doing today," he said.

According to OFBF President Bob Peterson, who joined the farmers on the trip, becoming politically involved is the best way to help the next generation.

"I encourage you to continue looking beyond your farming operations," he said.

John Linder, a Morrow County member and grain farmer, said the experience demonstrated how democracy is truly based on grass roots.

"The further you went into it, the more you realize my voice does make a difference," he said.

Caption: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns welcomed OFBF members at USDA and said he looks forward to working with Farm Bureau at the national level.

Caption: U.S. Rep. John Boehner discusses current policy issues with Ohio farmers in the House Agriculture Committee Room on Capitol Hill.