Applications for Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans now available
Members have three ways to apply: contacting a certified agent, calling 833-468-4280 or visiting ohiofarmbureauhealthplans.org.
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Mandy Orahood is organization director for Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake and Trumbull counties. In this role, she is a liaison between county Farm Bureaus and Ohio Farm Bureau. She assists county groups as they develop and implement programs to strengthen their organizations, serve members and affect positive change in their communities.
Orahood is a graduate of Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute with an associate’s degree in livestock sciences with a beef & sheep production specialization and holds a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences from Ohio State University.
What is something you can point to that has been accomplished thanks to the joint efforts of farmers and community members in your area?
It’s so hard to narrow down to one thing. Every event the county Farm Bureaus hold or support is a direct example of farmers and community members working together. Farmers and community members are working closely with elected officials and leaders to identify key issues affecting each county that range from water quality, opioids, hunger, and even safety of roads and traffic. We have held food drives where over 500 pounds of nonperishable foods and over $800 was donated to the local food bank. We have had an event where over 150 were in attendance to participate in a discussion with the local drug task force on the drug epidemic affecting the county. It truly takes a village.
What is your favorite Farm Bureau member benefit?
The advocacy OFBF does on behalf of our members. I also love the Rocky Boots/Lehigh Outfitters discount – a girl can never have too many boots!
Tell us about one big project one of your counties has planned or has recently conducted?
Ashtabula County held its Ag Day May 12. All the first graders from all the schools in the county were transported to the county fairgrounds where they learned about agriculture firsthand: livestock, crops, soil and water, fruits and veggies, alternative ag, and so much more. They got their hands dirty planting potatoes and digging up potatoes, they made butter, tossed “manure,” and they even “milked” Callie the Cow. Callie is a life-sized replica of a Holstein cow that is filled with water giving kids the chance to milk a cow.
Farm Bureau partners with Ashtabula Extension to hold Ag Day with donations from local businesses and farms throughout the county. Volunteers include elected officials, FFA, 4-H, Farm Bureau, and so many more. It’s such a great event because the majority of these children have never been on a farm and with Ag Day, this may be the only time many have the chance to experience a farm firsthand.
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.
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.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through 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.
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.
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.
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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