John Grafton, District 2 representative and current president of the Jefferson County Farm Bureau board of trustees, grew up on a family farm in Pleasant Hill. John and his five siblings (Jim, Harry, Barb, Sam and Dave) graduated from Jefferson Union High School, and John went on to graduate from the Ohio State University in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture economics. John also did post-graduate work in vocational education at Kent State.

John has been a beekeeper for 53 years and sells his own honey (Grafton’s Apiary) locally at M&M Hardware, Rural King, Jefferson Landmark and at many local festivals and events. John worked for the Ohio Department of Agriculture as an Apiary Inspection Supervisor and after retirement taught agriculture education in the Edison Local School District for five years. He was awarded “Beekeeper of the Year” by the Ohio State Beekeepers in 1993, and was also awarded an “Exceptional Service Award for Outstanding Work in Apiculture Education” by Apiary Inspectors of America in 2010. John is also currently a member of the Jefferson County Fair Board, an elder on the board of the Christian Church of Unionport and a member of the Ohio State Beekeeper’s Association and travels around the state teaching and lecturing on beekeeping.

He and his wife, Katie, live in Salem Township (you can find their house near the big giraffe on 646) and have two kids, Amanda (Grafton) Wood and Clinton Grafton. John can often be seen around the county with his ‘boss’ (granddaughter Isabel).

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Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
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
Farm Bureau connections
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
Giving farmers a voice
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
10-year campaign for safer roads
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
Bringing the farm back to life
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
Farm Bureau involvement
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
Select Partner Program
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
Advocacy
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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