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.
Read More
Ohio’s county Farm Bureaus again lead the nation for quality programming, winning seven of the 24 County Activities of Excellence awards presented by the American Farm Bureau.
The awards celebrate unique, volunteer-driven programming at the local level and serve as models of innovation for local program development.
As winners, the counties have the opportunity to participate in the Farm Bureau CAE Showcase at the 2018 AFBF Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show in Nashville in January. American Farm Bureau received 122 entries across all membership categories, with only 24 activities nationwide being selected for show at the convention.
“Ohio counties have a strong record in this competition,” said Melinda Witten, Ohio Farm Bureau director, leadership programming. “It is gratifying to see the accomplishments of our members recognized in this way.”
Ohio’s winners were:
Adams County: Strong Ag Partners/Youth Beginner Beekeeper Scholarship
Adams County Farm Bureau in cooperation with the County Beekeepers Association offers Youth Beginner Beekeeper scholarships to students in grades 7-12 who are a resident of the county and new to beekeeping. Included in the award is a one-year membership to the County Beekeepers Association, a beginning beekeeper guidebook, a set of woodenware for the beehive, a nucleus of bees, beekeeping gear, and the mentorship of a member of the County Beekeepers Association.
Carroll and Tuscarawas Counties (joint program): Weeding Out Substance Abuse in Rural America and Farm Bureau’s Got Your Back Campaign
These counties wanted to support educating students, parents and community members on drug and alcohol abuse and mental health issues. Working with the local Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board, the groups began by assessing the problem and created the Weeding Out Substance Abuse in Rural America campaign.
Jackson-Vinton County: Farm Fest in the Park
This event was held to connect the community with Farm Bureau by providing an opportunity to learn about agriculture. A variety of farm equipment, farm animals, local producers, agriculture agencies, and organizations set up in a park in the middle of town. This kid friendly, free event provided a family atmosphere with membership opportunities. Farm Bureau partnered with agriculture organizations such as OSU Extension, SWCD, FFA chapters as well as Farm Credit.
Ottawa County: North Coast Jackpot Show
Lamb and goat enthusiasts gathered at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds. Once arriving at the show, they weighed their livestock in before animals were sorted in classes and divisions by breed and weight. 4-H and FFA members were able to compete for prizes within their classes, divisions, and overall placings. A nationally known livestock judge was hired to select the winners of the show. Proceeds from the show benefited the county Junior Fair.
Paulding County: County Farm Bureau Day at the County Fair
Paulding County Farm Bureau, along with three other local businesses, sponsored the last day of the fair so attendees could enjoy a free day at the county fair. The county Farm Bureau chose this date based on the Farmer’s Share Breakfast also held in conjunction with the Junior Fair Livestock Sale. Along with the breakfast, the county donated T-shirts to the Junior Fair participants, and kids of all ages could drive a full-size tractor around the track with a local farmer at the fairgrounds.
Shelby County: Conservation Day Camp
Conservation Day Camp is a three-day conservation and agriculture education camp for children ages 8-11. The camp offered 15 sessions using a conservation or agriculture theme, and all include a hands-on element to maximize camper interaction. The camp is a collaborative project with Shelby County Farm Bureau and Soil and Water Conservation District.
Wood County: Sheriff Department Training
During the county policy development breakfast, a representative from the sheriff`s department explained the need for a livestock capturing and retaining system that would aid officers capturing escaped animals. The sheriff`s office also explained a need for more training handling anhydrous ammonia tanks due to a recent leak. The board of trustees saw this as a community need and developed a training day held at the local fairgrounds.
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.
Featured Articles
Ohio Farm Bureau releases Technology Intelligence Report
An exclusive member benefit, the report focuses on six important areas to consider before pulling the trigger on any new technology.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau releases updated Ohio Landowner Toolkit
The new 40-page Ohio Landowner Toolkit contains essential information prepared by Ohio Farm Bureau’s legal team that will help answer questions unique to property owners.
Read More
Legal with Leah: Landowner Liability
Policy Counsel Leah Curtis discusses Ohio trespassing laws and the liability that can fall on landowners when people enter their property.
Read More
Growing our Generation: 2024-2025 YAP State Committee members
Meet the oncoming committee members that will be assisting with the 2024 conference and planning the 2025 conference.
Read More
Everman promoted to chief administrative officer for Ohio Farm Bureau
Rebecca Everman of Westerville has been promoted to chief administrative officer and assistant secretary to the board of trustees for the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.
Read More
Bailey promoted to senior vice president of operations and partnerships for Ohio Farm Bureau
Michael Bailey of Marysville has been promoted to senior vice president of operations and partnerships for Ohio Farm Bureau.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau names new Young Ag Professionals State Committee members
Joe and Casey Everett of Shelby County, Mike Hannewald of Lucas County, John and Kacy Hummel of Franklin County and Emily Warnimont of Hancock County are the newest committee members.
Read More
Now is the time to prepare for winter hazards
The best course of action to avoid an accident is to work to correct potential hazards before they have the chance to lead to injury.
Read More
Tax deductions for equipment purchases
The IRS tax code Section 179 deduction is a way to reduce the total cost of new equipment and machinery by enabling the buyer to claim full depreciation in year one.
Read More