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.
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This month’s feature farmer is Jesse Whinnery!
Jesse is a dairy nutritionist in east central Ohio. He also operates a small sheep farm in Keene Township, where he raises market lambs and produces hay. Jesse said his career gives him the opportunity to be on many different farming
operations around the state. He spends his time building diets for the dairy operations to help optimize herd health, as well as profitability for the farming families. Jesse said what makes him different from other farming operations is
right now he is exploring different options for his farm to find some niche markets. Currently, his lamb farm is the basic operation.
He said as a small farm, finding ways to diversify is one of the challenges he faces with his operation. Jesse told us the land base is limited, so maximizing profitability on small acreage is the biggest challenge moving forward. Plus, “Technically there is no off-season in the dairy industry. On my own farm, winter time is a little slower.”
“Being involved in the Farm Bureau at all levels has been a tremendous benefit to both my career and my farming operation. Networking with countless other ag
professionals, as well as being connected more with our elected officials, have helped me grow my personal and professional business. Farm Bureau gives me a wonderful opportunity to be engaged with the local community and to give back some of my time and knowledge to help strengthen the agriculture community for the upcoming generations.”
Thank you Jesse for being a Farm Bureau member!
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.
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Growing our Generation: Grassroots advocacy
Ohio Farm Bureau provides opportunities, platforms and resources to help you develop your voice in the industry and give farmers a seat at the table with leaders and legislators.
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Farm Bureau welcomes summer ethanol blend waiver
The emergency fuel waiver to allow the sale of summer gasoline blends containing 15% ethanol will lengthen the period during which Americans can continue buying E15 from June 1 to Sept. 15.
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Ohio Farm Bureau introduces Small-Scale Food Business Guide
The Small-Scale Food Business Guide covers federal and state regulations for selling food products such as raw meat, dairy, eggs, baked goods, cottage foods, fruits and vegetables, honey and more.
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Cashing in the direct-to-consumer food sales boom
New resources and technology are broadening the different types of sales tools and strategies available to farmers.
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DeWine announces statewide open enrollment for H2Ohio Agricultural Incentive Program
ODA will enroll 500,000 acres into the program for a two-week sign-up period, beginning April 22, 2024, through May 6, 2024. Contact local SWCD offices to apply.
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Share named ExploreAg and Youth Development Specialist
Katie Share of Columbus has been named ExploreAg and Youth Development Specialist for Ohio Farm Bureau.
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Klopfenstein named Young Ag Professional and Ag Literacy Program Specialist
Mary Klopfenstein of Delphos has been named Young Ag Professional and Ag Literacy Program Specialist for Ohio Farm Bureau.
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Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan now offered to all sole proprietors
The plan has been updated to give sole proprietors access to more rate stability and a smart solution that offers potential savings on health care.
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Ohioans can compete for ag business startup funds
The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online by June 15 for the 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge.
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