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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
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.
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