Menu

Over the past three months, hundreds of advisory councils met to discuss topics important to farmers and rural Ohioans. In May councils discussed the growing problem of methamphetamine production in Ohio. Many farmers reported theft of the necessary ingredients to produce the drug. Ideas were shared on how farmers can protect themselves from theft and trespassing. In June the topic of rural broadband connection was debated. Councils shared an overall belief that increased broadband connection is necessary in many parts of Ohio. Last month, members shared their thoughts on why farmland preservation is important. The following are some remarks the councils shared.

Meth: A growing problem in rural Ohio
NE #9, Wyandot County:
Alert the community to be watching for signs of the problem. Many people are not aware such things could be happening in "our little community." We are still in denial of many of the drug/alcohol problems believed to belong to big cities and towns.

NW #19, Wayne County:
Make the public more aware. Farm Bureau members can be more diligent in securing anhydrous ammonia and outbuildings. Post "No Trespassing" signs.

Southern Comfort, Darke County:
It has been a major problem for years. Law enforcement should highly encourage the use of locks for nurse tanks and regulate pseudoephedrine. They should publicize anyone who gets busted -- put pictures in the newspaper and in store windows.

Rural broadband
Agri-talkers, Shelby County:
Files are too large or too slow to process on dial-up, and rural families miss opportunities and deadlines. Take advantage of any available funding to extend beyond universities and business and into smaller, more personal areas.

1922 Green Township, Mahoning County:
Computers are too slow to get information from Columbus. It (broadband) would provide better information from county to county, from business to business and from hospitals and doctors.

Young Agriculturalists, Trumbull County:
Education, rapid access and market information are important. Let utilities handle it and keep local and states out of it. So much depends on computers today.

Farmland preservation
#20, Licking County:
The AEPP program should be renewed after 2007. A tax or fee or permit or combination of them will need to be used. Perhaps a portion of the recorder's fees could be set aside for this or add a little to the real estate transfer tax or add a little to permits. Any number of permits could be the object of income for farmland preservation: hunting, building, septic system, to name a few.

The state of Ohio should be promoting the use of land already served by municipal utilities, helping townships resist annexations, consider charging sellers of land a fee that could go to AEPP and should have buyers pay impact fees not only for needed infrastructure but also for the detriment to the rural infrastructure.

Wheels are Turning, Wood County:
Maybe there should be a development tax on all ground taken out of agriculture use and developed. Expand CRP programs to more acres. Have legislation to prohibit eminent domain taking of farm ground.

Concord Township Tweeners, Miami County:
Sell license plates for farmland preservation. Eliminate capital gains on farmland sold to another farmer for farming. Easing the load in purchasing farmland for farming would help pass on land from farmer to farmer. Farmland needs help in competition from developed land, and the state can use taxes as a way to help farmers continue in Ohio.

If you would like to form a new advisory council or join an existing council, please contact Marc Armstrong, OFBF director of constituent action, 614-246-8247, marmstrong@ofbf.org