2018 marks the 99th year of Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. A lot of good things have happened in nearly 100 years of Ohio Farm Bureau. For instance, the hard work and dedication that led to passing CAUV reform. With the old formula, the property taxes that we as producers and landowners were paying was a hard one to swallow. If it wasn’t for Ohio Farm Bureau lobbying, advocating and having local round table discussions with our local and state representatives, these changes would not have taken place and who knows what our property tax bills would look like today.

Here in Champaign County, Farm Bureau is very active in the community. Every spring we award four or more $800 scholarships to county students who are continuing their education in agriculture. In 2017, the county board voted to sponsor a donation to the Mechanicsburg Police Department in order for them to purchase a K9 to help fight the local drug epidemic. The K9 will also assist the other Sheriff’s Department in the county.

This past summer there was a break-in and vandalism done to a member’s farm in the county. The members had a $2500 Reward sign posted on the barn. Having this sign posted allowed for the neighbors to be rewarded for the help they provided to lead to the arrest and conviction of the person who committed the crime. So please remember to have these reward signs posted at your farms. You can get them from the county office.

I have had the pleasure to travel to Washington, D.C. with Ohio Farm Bureau on the annual President’s Trip for the past three years. Highlights from this year’s trip included, listening to Ted McKinney, Under Secretary, Trade & Foreign Agricultural affairs, USDA. Mr. McKinney has been on trade missions to countries like India. India will be importing poultry from the United States for the first time ever because they are in need of high protein diets. Their population is rising and can’t produce anything like what American farmers can. Congressman Bob Gibbs put on a Farm Forum which was a big highlight for me. Mr. Gibbs told us that they are going to bring the Farm Bill discussion to the floor after Easter break. We stressed to Congressman Jim Jordan how important regulatory reform, farm bill and trade are and how they are impacting our farms, livelihoods and communities.

As you can see your $80 membership dues do a lot more for you than just getting a discount at a hotel or business. It’s helping state and national public policy as well as helping with different issues and initiatives that are very important in our county.

Everyone has a voice and I urge you to take five minutes out of your busy schedule and call your representatives and stress to them the importance of issues that are of concern to you. We can provide you with names and numbers if needed.

As the busy spring planting season approaches, we need to all remember farm safety. This spring our county Farm Bureau is sponsoring yard signs with Sellman Insurance Group. The yard signs will be a reminder to motorists to be patient, slow down, and be aware of farm machinery on the roads. Thanks again, have a great spring and planting season!

 

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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