Farmer’s Guide to Trucking Regulations available to Ohio Farm Bureau members
The guide includes a farm driver checklist, overview of state and federal regulations and exemptions, CDL qualifications and more.
Read More
One of the state’s bills that is most important to agriculture is House Bill 49, Ohio’s two-year operating budget. When the bill was first released, Ohio Farm Bureau’s policy department went through it, line by line, making note of items impacting agriculture and the state’s business climate. Staff members testified at hearings, had one-on-one meetings with lawmakers and talked with university, business and various agricultural groups on how the proposals would affect them. As of press time, the budget bill had not been passed. By law a balanced budget must be passed by June 30 every two years.
Here is a look at some of the issues, besides CAUV, Ohio Farm Bureau worked on in the budget bill:
Farm Bureau supported adequate funding of several programs that help provide needed research and technical assistance in the area of water quality. Those include Ohio State University’s Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Extension, Agricultural Technical Institute and Sea Grant program. OFBF also supported greater funding for Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
OFBF was successful in securing an amendment to the budget in the House that would protect the relationship between the Ohio FFA Association and the Ohio Department of Education. Currently Ohio FFA operates within the education department, and Farm Bureau wanted to ensure that continues by outlining the relationship in statute.
OFBF also supported allowing school districts to integrate content from one state-approved course to another – specifically career-tech courses – so students could receive credit for both subject areas (for example, credit for both science and agriculture).
OFBF supported the removal of a provision that teachers complete an on-site work experience with a local business or chamber of commerce to renew their teaching license.
OFBF supported an exemption for apple syrup and apple butter producers from food processing standards if they directly harvest at least 75 percent of the apples used to produce those items. This change is directly reflective of OFBF policy.
The budget sets up a Medication assisted treatment drug court program in several Ohio counties to provide addiction treatment to persons who are dependent on opioids, alcohol, or both and requires community addiction service providers to provide specified treatment to the participants in the program based on the individual needs of each participant.
In addition, $300,000 was earmarked to establish local court-appointed special advocate programs in areas of the state with high numbers of heroin users and overdoses. At press time, the budget contained $176 million for addiction treatment.
The guide includes a farm driver checklist, overview of state and federal regulations and exemptions, CDL qualifications and more.
Read More
Katie Share of Columbus has been named ExploreAg and Youth Development Specialist for Ohio Farm Bureau.
Read MoreMary Klopfenstein of Delphos has been named Young Ag Professional and Ag Literacy Program Specialist for Ohio Farm Bureau.
Read MoreThe plan has been updated to give sole proprietors access to more rate stability and a smart solution that offers potential savings on health care.
Read MoreThe American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online by June 15 for the 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge.
Read MoreAdele Flynn of Wellington has been elected treasurer of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and now holds the third highest elected office in Ohio’s largest and most influential farm organization.
Read MoreProducers are urged to work with their veterinarian to practice enhanced biosecurity measures and review and limit cattle movements within production systems.
Read MoreThe changing seasons bring with them the need to thoroughly inspect pole barns for any damages that may have occurred during the winter months.
Read MoreHundreds of Ohio businesses and sole proprietors are raving about Ohio Farm Bureau’s Health Benefits plan with lower, predictable costs and easy enrollment and administration options.
Read MoreAgriPOWER Class XIV spent a few days in March in Medina and Wayne counties learning more about northern Ohio agriculture from leaders in Ohio Farm Bureau.
Read More