Dairy cows

Livestock farmers who have been waiting for a new air emissions requirement can breathe a little easier for at least a few more months.

Since 2008, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule has exempted all livestock farms from reporting hazardous substance air releases from animal waste (namely, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, and also declared only large CAFOs were subject to Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act reporting.
A number of citizen groups challenged the validity of that rule in court and last spring the court struck down the final rule, eliminating the reporting exemptions for farms.

The EPA sought additional time from the Washington, D.C. circuit court to help farmers understand their reporting obligations. Throughout the past six months several orders have been issued delaying the start of the mandate.

In February, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. circuit issued an order again delaying the official mandate of its April 2017 ruling. The CERCLA/EPCRA reporting requirements for livestock and poultry producers are postponed until May 1.

For more information and assistance in determining whether reporting is needed, visit the EPA’s guidance website covering air emissions reporting for livestock farms.

The website provides background information on the reporting requirement and tools to help members determine if they may have a reportable release based on the size and type of the livestock operation.

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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.
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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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