Protecting Ohio’s water resources through innovative agricultural practices is the goal of the partnership between the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. The two organizations have created and are managing demonstration farms in the Blanchard River Watershed.

Through 2020, three demonstration farms will serve as models for new innovations that reduce and prevent agricultural nutrient runoff. Those discoveries will be shared with local farmers, land management agencies and the public. The demonstration farms are a key component of Ohio Farm Bureau’s Water Quality Action Plan, a comprehensive initiative to help farmers proactively improve and protect water quality.

The Blanchard Demonstration Farms Advisory Committee provides guidance to the project using their expertise in their given fields. The committee meets twice a year, with one meeting on the farms, to see what is taking place.

Members

Adam Kirian, President, Hancock County Farm Bureau

Barbara Baker, Assistant State Conservationist for Natural Resources, Ohio NRCS

Bryan Humphreys, Executive Vice President, Ohio Pork Council

Carrie Huitger, Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey

Chris Coulon, Public Affairs Specialist, Ohio NRCS

Chris Henney, President and CEO, Ohio Ag. Business Association

Craig Houin, Data Management Lead, Sunrise Cooperative

David White, Account Manager, Financial Services and Government Relations, Ag Credit

Glen Arnold, Field Specialist, Manure Nutrient Management Systems, OSU Extension

Greg Labarge, Field Specialist, Agronomic Systems, OSU Extension

Karl Gebhardt, Deputy Director for Water Resources, Ohio EPA

Kevin King, Research Leader USDA-Agricultural Research Service

Kirk Hines, Chief-Division of Soil and Water Conservation, Ohio Department of Agriculture

Jessica Dambrosio, Western Lake Erie Basin Conservation Director, The Nature Conservancy

Logan Haake, Precision Technology Manager, Legacy Farmers Cooperative

Mark Smith, State Resource Conservationist, Ohio NRCS

Megan Burgess, District Conservationist, Ohio NRCS

Mindy Bankey, CEO, Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts

Phil Martin, Watershed Coordinator, Blanchard River Watershed Partnership

Scott Higgins, CEO, Ohio Dairy Producers

Scott Parker, Regional Vice President, Farm Credit Mid America

Shelby Brammell, President, Hardin County Farm Bureau

Tadd Nicholson, Executive Director, Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association

Tom Fontana, Director of Research and Education, Ohio Soybean Council

Tra Trecia Davis, EQIP Program Manager, Ohio NRCS

 

Labor has always been an issue, mainly because we are a seasonal operation. So that's a challenge finding somebody who only wants to work three months out of a year, sometimes up to six months.
Mandy Way's avatar
Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
I appreciate the benefit of having a strong voice in my corner. The extras that are included in membership are wonderful, but I'm a member because of the positive impact to my local and state agricultural communities.
Ernie Welch's avatar
Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities
I see the value and need to be engaged in the community I live in, to be a part of the decision-making process and to volunteer with organizations that help make our community better.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development
Farm Bureau involvement has taught me how to grow my professional and leadership experience outside of the workforce and how to do that in a community-centric way.
Jaclyn De Candio's avatar
Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program
With not growing up on a farm, I’d say I was a late bloomer to agriculture. I feel so fortunate that I found the agriculture industry. There are so many opportunities for growth.
Jenna Gregorich's avatar
Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
Jared Hughes's avatar
Jared Hughes

Groovy Plants Ranch

Groovy Plants Ranch
If it wasn't for Farm Bureau, I personally, along with many others, would not have had the opportunity to meet with our representatives face to face in Washington.
Austin Heil's avatar
Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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