Times are tough for our dairy farmers. We know our members are facing steep challenges in the market, including contract cancellations, low prices and falling consumer demand.

“We are aggressively looking for alternatives to help our dairy farmers outside the scope of the farm bill,” said OFBF Senior Director of State and National Policy Jack Irvin. Ohio Farm Bureau President Frank Burkett III, a Stark County dairy farmer,  talked about the issue with OFBF’s Joe Cornely.

Ohio Farm Bureau supported American Farm Bureau, which conceived and lobbied for a new dairy revenue insurance program, which is awaiting USDA approval.

Policy changes affecting the margin protection program and other dairy risk management programs within USDA were recently signed into law by President Trump through the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018.

Other actions that have been led and supported by Farm Bureau include:

  • Fighting to keep the portions of NAFTA in place that have helped dairy exports.
  • Lobbying for responses to Canadian trade practices that hurt Ohio dairies.
  • Supporting research that improves dairy production.
  • Supporting checkoff programs that fund domestic and international dairy consumption.
  • Lobbying and securing CAUV reforms, which is saving members an average of 30-percent.
  • Lobbying for federal tax reform has potential significant savings for farmers.

Contact Us

Farm Bureau hears your concerns, but we need your help to magnify your voice. Dairy farmers including Tuscarawas County Farm Bureau President Jim Rowe and Marion County Farm Bureau President Karl Wedemeyer voiced their concerns during the County Presidents’ Trip in Washington, DC March 13-15.

We need to continue to let representatives know the challenges dairy farmers face.

Email your story to [email protected].

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.
Mandy Way's avatar
Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
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.
Ernie Welch's avatar
Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong 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.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development
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.
Jaclyn De Candio's avatar
Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program
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.
Jenna Gregorich's avatar
Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
Jared Hughes's avatar
Jared Hughes

Groovy Plants Ranch

Groovy Plants Ranch
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.
Austin Heil's avatar
Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
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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