Ohio Farm Bureau introduces Energy and Utility Issues Resource Guide
Ohio Farm Bureau’s newest resource for members seeks to help farmland owners navigate the many questions surrounding energy development.
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Nick Kennedy is organization director for Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage and Stark counties. In this role, he is a liaison between the county Farm Bureaus and Ohio Farm Bureau. He assists county groups as they develop and implement programs to strengthen their organizations, serve members and affect positive change in their communities.
Kennedy graduated from the Ohio State University with bachelor of science degree.
What is something you can point to that has been accomplished thanks to the joint efforts of farmers and community members in your area?
We have been working with our farmers and community members in eastern Stark County over the last year with a proposed park trail through many farms. We have helped facilitate a meeting with landowners to make them aware of their rights as it pertains to this trail. A group of concerned citizens was formed and with Farm Bureau’s support, we have helped this group get noticed. Actions have started to take place that have allowed this group to have a voice in the community and they have revived a citizen’s advisory committee. This committee is the citizen’s direct contact with the regional planning board. These citizens have been able to have more open dialogue about the park trail issues but also they now have a chance to weigh in on other community projects. This has been a huge win for the community as they now have an avenue they can pursue to help get their opinions heard.
What is your favorite Farm Bureau member benefit?
Member Savings Advantage
Tell us about one big project one of your counties has planned or has recently conducted
Columbiana County Farm Bureau held a breakfast on the farm event last year that had 1,500 participants attend. They helped to plan a tour of Baker’s Golden Dairy and provide a locally sourced breakfast. They had 100 volunteers help plan, implement and execute a great event. Many of the participants asked us how many years we had done such an event as they thought it was very well planned. I was proud of the group to take on a new activity and step outside their comfort zone. It was one of my favorite events of the year.
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.
The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
We really appreciate what Farm Bureau has done to get people interested in this line of work and workforce development and getting people interested in this industry.
We work terrifically with the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, hosting at least one to two outreach town hall events every year to educate new farmers and existing farmers on traditional CAUV and woodlands.
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
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.
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Feeding your need for new ideas at Farm Science Review
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