Applications for Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans now available
Members have three ways to apply: contacting a certified agent, calling 833-468-4280 or visiting ohiofarmbureauhealthplans.org.
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Gov. John Kasich abandoned one of his most basic principles by announcing unilateral regulation of farming practices in an attempt to improve Lake Erie water quality. With no conversation with Ohio’s agriculture community, the Kasich executive order would include regulation of over 2 million acres in northwest Ohio.
Today’s executive order ignores the transparent and inclusive approach to the regulatory process Kasich promised with his “Common Sense Initiative.” Because the agricultural community was not included in the process, farmers are left with frustration, questions and uncertainty on both the process and implications of this order.
“We can’t even react to the specific regulations he’s proposing; we haven’t seen them,” said Adam Sharp, executive vice president of Ohio Farm Bureau.
Kasich’s order has no realistic recognition of the time nor the financial or educational resources required for farmers to comply. Regulations created under the order may conflict with multiple layers of existing regulation. There are also significant concerns about the science applied, the processes through which the order will be enacted and the specific authorities of the multiple state agencies charged with carrying out the order.
Sharp said Farm Bureau will take the rare step of filing a formal public records request in order to gain clarity on some of these issues.
“We’re also curious why the order deals with only agriculture and not other pieces of the water puzzle, especially since the administration has prioritized other water quality initiatives instead of farm conservation programs,” Sharp said.
The Kasich administration said it has invested more than $3 billion to improve Lake Erie water quality. But an examination of the expenditures, reported by Cleveland Public Broadcasting Station WCPN, found that only 1 percent of that money was used to address agriculture’s portion of the water quality challenge.
“If we weren’t a priority for state resources, why are we a priority for state regulation?” Sharp asked.
Farm Bureau supports the actions of the Ohio House and Senate in passage of Clean Lake 2020, which became law today. It provides funding of up to $20 million in a targeted phosphorus reduction fund, $3.5 million to support soil testing and the development of nutrient management plans, among other provisions, recognizing the complex needs of farmers in the process.
Working with the legislature – and the administration – is always the preferred approach to address agricultural concerns.
This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Joe Cornely, 614-246-8230.
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
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.
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.
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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