Ohio Farm Bureau members recently made their case for property tax relief during testimony before the Ohio Senate Ways and Means Committee. In addition, Farm Bureau leaders met with Ohio House members as the representatives continue to explore pathways forward for CAUV reform. Farm Bureau is seeking changes to the state’s Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV) formula, which in recent years has threatened the viability of family farms.

Ohio farmers saw a 307 percent increase in property taxes between 2008 and 2014. Those higher taxes are now being paid at a time when some farm crop prices have fallen as much as 50 percent.

In testimony before the Senate Ways and Means Committee, Farm Bureau State Trustee Mike Bensman told lawmakers, “For those of you who have worked in small business, ask yourselves if you would be able to manage a tax increase of 300 percent. It’s not an easy thing to budget for.” Bensman and his brothers are the fourth generation to farm in Shelby County where they currently operate 4,000 acres of crops.

Katherine Harrison owns a small livestock farm in southeastern Franklin County and also is a Farm Bureau state trustee. She recently repurchased a portion of the family farm where she will be the fifth generation to work the land. “I anticipate (the farm) can bring in about $180 per acre per year. The taxes run approximately $120 per acre per year. That leaves a possible net of $60 per acre per year to pay down a loan for $300,000 to purchase the land.”

The Farm Bureau leaders testified on Senate Bill 36, which would remove incorrect assumptions in the CAUV calculation formula and make the formula less affected by non-farm factors. The bill would also remove a disincentive for farmers to adopt practices that protect water quality.

The hearing took place when nearly 300 Farm Bureau members were in Columbus for their annual legislative visits. In meetings in lawmakers’ offices, the farmers shared their personal stories about the tremendous burden being felt by family farmers throughout Ohio and asked for their help in reforming CAUV.

“CAUV has become the absolute No. 1 issue for our members,” Bensman said.

“Farmers are deeply vested in and play a vital role in our community,” Harrison added. “Part of the responsibility of being a steward of the land, is paying appropriate levels of taxation. But the current tax situation creates pressures that make it more difficult for small farms to remain.”

This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Joe Cornely, 614-246-8230.

Editors: A high resolution photo is available to accompany this story.

Photo caption: Ohio Farm Bureau State Trustee Katherine Harrison, from Franklin County, offered testimony before the Senate Ways and Means Committee on behalf of Farm Bureau members in Ohio who are facing record tax increases on their farmland. Ohio farmers saw a 307 percent increase in property taxes between 2008 and 2014.

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.
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Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
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Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

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Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

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