2024 Election: Vote ‘no’ on Issue 1
Issue 1 is bad for rural areas, and Ohio Farm Bureau Federation urges members to vote “no.”
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James W. (Bill) Patterson of Chesterland has been re-elected first vice president of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. He holds the second highest elected office in the state’s largest general farm organization. This is his second full term.
Previously, Patterson served as Ohio Farm Bureau’s treasurer. In 2011 he joined the organization’s board of trustees and will continue as the District 4 Trustee representing Farm Bureau members in Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake and Trumbull counties. His re-election took place Dec. 8 during Ohio Farm Bureau’s 99th annual meeting.
Patterson farms with his family, raising apples, strawberries and peaches, and also has a farm market and a wholesale cider operation. He has two sons.
A 25-year member of the Geauga County Farm Bureau, he served as its president and vice president. He is a member of the Ohio Produce Growers and Marketers Association. Patterson received his bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Ohio State University. He also is a graduate of Ohio’s Leadership Education and Development Program – Class VII.
Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen the state’s communities. The organization helps its members engage in policy and communications activities to improve their communities and provides a wide range of member benefits. To learn more, visit ofbf.org.
This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Joe Cornely, 614-246-8230.
Editors: A high-resolution photo is available to accompany this story.
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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