Ohio Farm Bureau

The Ohio Farm Bureau state board of trustees voted at its April meeting to support the passage of Issue 1 on the state’s primary ballot. The primary is May 8.

Passage of Issue 1 would amend Ohio’s Constitution to reform the process for drawing Ohio’s congressional districts. A “yes” vote on this ballot initiative aligns with Ohio Farm Bureau policy, which supports “a comprehensive review and reform of Ohio’s current congressional redistricting and apportionment process.”

There are several areas where Farm Bureau policy and Issue 1 agree.

Issue 1 creates a process that is open and transparent:
– The General Assembly is first responsible for a redistricting bill that is required to be passed with a 3/5 vote and be bipartisan.
– It uses the Ohio Redistricting Commission, which was established in the Constitution by the voters.
– Issue 1 requires the General Assembly and the Ohio Redistricting Commission to take public input.

Issue 1 attempts to draw districts along county lines:
– The ballot measure sets forth provisions for not unduly splitting governmental units, giving preference to counties, followed by townships and then municipal corporations.

Issue 1 uses population without reference to major metropolitan areas used as a center or hub:
– If a county has a population larger than the district ratio, then the city or township will attempt to be put in a single district.

Issue 1 attempts to connect all communities:
– Congressional districts are to be composed of contiguous territory.
– When counties exceed district population, consideration will be given of other cities or townships in the county whose residents share common interests.

See the official ballot language.

Ohio Farm Bureau membership

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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