Campbell wins American Farm Bureau Discussion Meet
Ohio Farm Bureau Young Agricultural Professional Abby Campbell of Washington County is the winner of the 2025 American Farm Bureau Discussion Meet.
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Farmers in central Ohio are welcoming the expansion of POET Biorefining, saying it will increase demand for local grains, create new jobs and stimulate the overall economy in rural Ohio.
In August, POET broke ground on a $120 million expansion of its ethanol plant in Marion. The company said it was expanding its production capacity from 70 million gallons per year to 150 million gallons per year. Production of dried distillers grain will increase from 178,000 tons annually to 360,000 tons. The project is expected to be completed later next year.
“The expansion will allow for central Ohio to continue to be a really strong competitive grain market. The corn market here is probably 15 to 30 cents higher than other parts of the state. It’s an overall gain for the community,” said Karl Wedemeyer, Marion County Farm Bureau president.
POET said the expansion will result in 225 temporary construction jobs and 18-21 new permanent ones. The county Farm Bureau has a good relationship with the biorefinery, Wedemeyer said. POET has been a strong supporter of Farm Bureau, and all three of its plants in Ohio participate in OFBF’s group membership program.
“In recent years, I know farmers are struggling with low commodity prices, which is creating lower farm incomes and decreasing land values,” said POET CEO Jeff Broin. “Biofuels have been the only real growth sector for ag commodities in the past decade.”
Benefits of a group membership
POET is one of several businesses that participate in Ohio Farm Bureau’s group membership program. Group members (employers) purchase five or more individual memberships, giving individuals access to Farm Bureau member benefits. Group memberships are good investments for employers because membership helps employees better understand agriculture and their farmer customers while supporting Farm Bureau’s work to advance all of agriculture.
Caption: Karl Wedemeyer, Marion County Farm Bureau president
The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
To grow a network and gain perspective and knowledge in the industry through personal and professional development has been invaluable. Every day I learn and grow.
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.
Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
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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