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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The Ohio State Fair Sale of Champions livestock auction was held Sunday afternoon in the Celeste Center and showcased Ohio’s champion livestock, premier Junior Fair exhibitors and generous supporters. This year marked the 50th anniversary of the sale.
On the sale bill were grand champion and reserve champion market lambs, market barrows and market beef, as well as grand champion market goat, grand champion and reserve champion market chickens, grand champion market turkey and a block of Swiss cheese to represent the seven dairy champions. In total, the livestock and products were auctioned for a total of $284,000, with $196,000 raised for the Youth Reserve Program.
Ohio Farm Bureau collaborated with partners Bob Evans Farms, Event Marketing Strategies and Huffman’s Market to purchase the Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow exhibited by Ella Sprang for $32,000, of which Sprang receives $7,000. Sprang is the daughter of Farm Bureau members Mike and Debbie Sprang of Holmes County.
While Junior Fair exhibitors take great pride in raising a quality animal, the ultimate goal each year is to be awarded a grand champion banner. Grand or reserve champion is an immense honor for the exhibitor, and with the Youth Reserve Program and generous buyers, it is rewarding for the entire Junior Fair program. This year’s sale broke one record: Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow sold for $32,000, breaking the previous record of $31,000 set in 2013.
Established in 1995, the Youth Reserve Program was developed to reward junior exhibitors who participate in the Ohio State Fair. Funds for the program come from the dollars received over a cap that is placed on the amount an exhibitor can receive from the Sale of Champions. The funds from the program are distributed among carcass contests, scholarships. outstanding market exhibitor program, outstanding breeding exhibitor program, showmanship, skillathons, 4-H and FFA. The Youth Reserve Program has awarded more than $3 million to approximately 33,000 youth exhibitors since its inception.
Photo by Dave Gore
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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