Ohio Farm Bureau was successful this week in getting two amendments added to the state’s transportation budget that will help farmers and rural residents.

The first amendment would allow farm utility vehicles that display a slow moving vehicle emblem to travel on a road with a speed limit above 35 mph if going from farm to field in the course of agricultural production. Freeways would be excluded.

“Many of our members have farms that are separated by roads like these, making it illegal for them to use their utility vehicles for farm work,” said Tony Seegers, OFBF director of state policy.

The second amendment would require notification of proposals to create “limited access” highways so farmers are aware of changes and have time to plan alternate routes. The Ohio Department of Transportation would be required to publish a notice in the local newspaper once a week for two weeks, notify the state’s farm organizations electronically four weeks before the change and take comments from the public on any proposed changes.

“Our members have found that one day they are using a road to get to their fields and the next day they see a limited access sign prohibiting farm machinery. These notifications will be helpful for rural residents who are driving farm vehicles that can’t go down limited access highways,” Seegers said.

The bill now is before Gov. John Kasich, awaiting his signature.

Update: Gov. Kasich signed the transportation bill.

Ohio Farm Bureau membership

 

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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