What farmers call “winter wheat” – and ‘America the Beautiful” lyricist Katherine Lee Bates called “amber waves of grain” – graces the cover of the July/August issue of Our Ohio magazine as Union County member Ron Burns’ “A year in the life of a farmer” series moves into the summer.

This installment of Our Ohio also features an in-depth story of the opioid epidemic, its effect on rural Ohio and the people behind trying to establish policy to help thwart the rising tide of the problem.

There are stories about landowners who own property in a different part of the state dealing with energy issues from afar; Electronic Benefits Transfer cards at farmers markets and tracing that back to the Farm Bill; as well as a gardening feature that will be of interest to all, no matter the size of their garden.

The food feature centers on the commercial fishing Fish Ohio event at Lake Erie and there is a walleye or two in the recipe section. Farm Bureau member Glenda Thomas’ pizza farm presentation to fifth graders in Monroe County is the Our Community story for this issue.

A four-page section on the OFB Foundation highlighting the organization’s philanthropic endeavors is included, too, as well as a spotlight on Farm Bureau’s expanded field staff of organization directors.

As in every issue, the Across the Table column by OFBF Executive Vice President Adam Sharp, Grow & Know events and member benefits information also are included.

Our Ohio magazine is a benefit of Farm Bureau membership. Learn more.

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