Carroll County Farm Bureau members wanted answers and asked for them during a meeting with their state representatives in March.

Rep. Andy Thompson and Sen. Frank Hoagland met with Farm Buraeu members during a legislative district committee meeting at Bluebird Farms. Increasingly, several members have expressed concerns about their oil and gas royalty payments. They’ve been frustrated about how difficult it is to read their royalty statement and question whether they have been properly paid.

Ohio Farm Bureau policy calls for a uniform royalty payment statement, which would make the process more transparent.

“Our members consistently tell us they feel there’s no real accountability to ensure the accuracy of what oil companies report they extract from the ground,” said Brandon Kern, OFBF’s senior director for policy outreach. “Landowners also become suspicious when oil companies constantly make credits and deductions to landowner royalty payments for corrections to well activity that took place months or even years in the past.”

Empowering Farm Bureau members to take focused, grassroots policy initiatives directly to lawmakers with the support of experienced staff helps achieve one of Farm Bureau’s priorities for 2017. OFBF wants to ensure energy lease and easement holders are provided information on project developments and advocacy in regulatory proceedings.

“This meeting is a great example of how Farm Bureau members are able to take action on member-adopted policy created through our policy development process,” said Kern. “Members now have an avenue for working with policymakers to initiate action on one of our organization’s priority issues.”

A working group will now be created to formulate specific legislative proposals to address Farm Bureau policy concerns.

Ohio Farm Bureau membership

 

New and beginning farmers
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Greg McGlinch's avatar
Greg McGlinch

Darke County Farm Bureau

New and beginning farmers
Growing Tomorrow Grant
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
Nathan and Jill Parriman's avatar
Nathan and Jill Parriman

Clermont County Farm Bureau

Growing Tomorrow Grant
Bringing the farm back to life
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
Youth pathways in Farm Bureau
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
Wyatt Morrow's avatar
Wyatt Morrow

Clinton County Farm Bureau

Youth pathways in Farm Bureau
Giving farmers a voice
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
Select Partner Program
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
Advocacy
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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