Photos by Dave Goreauger-grain-into-bin-for-storage
This is the final installment of a glimpse into the realities of farm life through the eyes of Union County Farm Bureau member Ron Burns and his fiancée, Melissa Downerd. The corn harvest, livestock care and a special moment between the couple are captured in a last look at “a year in the life” of a family farm.

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The last of the crops are harvested in late October, early November as Burns and Downerd prepare for winter. ronburns1

Organic corn is harvested through the combine. setting-up-grain-auger-to-load-bin-with-corn

Then Burns sets up the grain auger to load the bin with corn. beef-holsteins-enjoying-the-cool-weather

In the meantime Downerd keeps watch over her beef Holstein herd, which she will raise to their market weight of 600 pounds.interestingbirds

Guinea hens scavenge for bugs around the farm and eat excess feed in the cattle pen. jack-willis-the-goat-2

Keeping a watch over all the activity at the Burns/Downerd farm is the farmyard patriarch Jack Willis, a goat.image1

Ron and Melissa were engaged as we documented life on the farm through 2016. They are preparing for a June 2018 wedding.

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.
Ryanna Tietje's avatar
Ryanna Tietje

Henry County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau connections
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.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman's avatar
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman

Henry County

10-year campaign for safer roads
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
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.
Hannah Kiser's avatar
Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau involvement
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.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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