Agriculture economics

Ohio agriculture and business leaders visited the editorial boards of two major Ohio newspapers to make their case for preserving valuable portions of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

NAFTA renegotiations threaten to turn back trade gains for agriculture and key Ohio industries. OFBF Executive Vice President Adam Sharp joined Tadd Nicholson of the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association, Keith Lake of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and Ian Sheldon of Ohio State’s CFAES to encourage The Columbus Dispatch and Akron Beacon Journal to share with readers what is at risk.

A subsequent Dispatch editorial stated, “The 23-year-old NAFTA pact…has been an engine of growth for agriculture in Ohio and nationwide, with exports of food and ag products quadrupling since it went into effect. With crop prices at historic lows, farmers struggle to remain solvent by increasing exports to grow their market.”

The editorial also noted, “Junking NAFTA wouldn’t hurt only farmers. If farms fail, local equipment suppliers, transportation and other services, and consumers would lose out, too. And other industries, particularly Ohio’s auto manufacturers and suppliers, rely upon the international supply chains that have grown under NAFTA.”

The Beacon Journal made similar endorsements of NAFTA’s importance to agriculture and manufacturing.

American Farm Bureau is heavily involved with the current administration and congressional leaders, working to protect agriculture’s vital export markets.

The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
Kevin Holy's avatar
Kevin Holy

Geauga County Farm Bureau

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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