Policy experts

Have you ever seen a movie or TV show that depicts a quick work trip to a big city? The main character packs an overnight bag, rolls into town late at night, wakes up and gets some important work done. Then the trip wraps up with a late flight home.
Well, for several Ohio Farm Bureau members, that scenario summarizes our trip to the 2018 American Farm Bureau Issues Advisory Committee meetings in Washington, D.C. in March. Except in this situation, the main characters are Farm Bureau members from across the country. Their all-important job? Serve as real-life policy gurus for the policy experts on our national Farm Bureau staff.

Ohio was very well represented in Washington. Led by OFBF policy team member Jack Irvin, Ohio’s delegation included myself, Joe Steiner, Fred Finney, Jerry Lahmers and Paul Dorrance (shout-out, AgriPower Class VIII). Together with hundreds of other Farm Bureau members, our agricultural policy expertise was on full display during both days of meetings.

Though the Issue Advisory Committee meetings are primarily designed for policy staff to consult with Farm Bureau members, the meetings are also an incredible opportunity for members to learn about policy concerns in other states. For example, our Environmental Regulations Committee spent plenty of time talking about agriculture and the Endangered Species Act. While this law may not impact Ohio farmers right now, it could be an issue in the future. Knowing the potential solutions for these issues could be important for Ohio farmers someday.

Whether it is environmental regulations, commodity programs, animal care, food safety, direct marketing or any other area, Farm Bureau members are the true policy experts in our industry. They experience the impact of federal and state policy everyday on their operations. Members know the exact issues confronting agriculture, they know the strengths and weaknesses of farm policy and they know how to craft solutions to solve these problems.

So even though the OFBF and AFBF policy teams diligently work alongside state and federal decision makers each day, it is Farm Bureau members who are the driving force in farm policy. With so many knowledgeable agricultural minds actively assisting Farm Bureau, the future of farm policy looks very promising for years to come.

Caption: Issues Advisory Committee meeting at AFBF in Washington, DC in March.

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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