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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By Megan Dresbach, AgriPOWER Class X participant
“Farmer’s just dump fertilizer on the fields.” “Immigrant labor takes jobs away from Americans.” “Farmer’s don’t care, they just want to make a profit.”
All of these comments can be heard daily or referenced across society. The bottom line: it makes the agricultural community cringe because of the inaccuracy. How can the agricultural community change this perception? As agricultural leaders in AgriPOWER Class X, our second session focused on how to communicate to the rest of the world about how and why agriculture uses the practices it does. Even if the communication is only between two people, every step is necessary to communicate the accurate agriculture message.
Our agenda was packed with all aspects of public speaking. The context of the message, the words chosen, how is the message communicated, attention span, human desire to learn and other aspects that affect how we communicate with those may or may not want to learn. Fortunately, we had speakers who dove into the science and logic that are fundamental to the communication process. After some public speaking practice, it was clear the training served us well. This session provided a very good basic understanding of the skills needed to communicate with the public and media.
Next was a review and in-depth examination about current issues, relevant to Ohio and U.S. agriculture. We can utilize our speaking skills to effectively advocate, but we have to understand the depth and complexity of those issues. Lake Erie has now been declared a distressed watershed, but what exactly does that mean? What is agriculture doing about it? A trip to the Blanchard River Farm Demonstrations provided a clear message that the agricultural community has heard the public’s concerns and is actively doing our part to reduce the impact of our industry. The dialogue around immigration has so many loud voices and inaccuracies. Immigrant labor is vital to the American economy, especially to the dairy and fruit/vegetable industries. The issue is so complex that there is not one solution. We recognize that reforms are needed to match the current needs of the ag community. Finding the best way to do that is challenging, but the conversation has to be on-going to reach any workable strategies. AgriPOWER Class X will see what mountains we can move while in D.C. next month.
A good session is not complete without a fun activity and networking. Most of the class members came in with zero golf skills. After some golf lessons and lots of laughter, we might just be found on the next PGA tour. But the “takeaway” lesson with golf is: business is conducted in a variety of ways and sometimes it’s on the golf course. Communication is conducted in a variety of ways. What if our participation in a local golf charity event allows me the chance to communicate with someone who doesn’t understand agriculture? What if using a neutral event (golf) allows me to answer a question, correct a wrong assumption or communicate a scientific principle? Golf is a skill, communication is a skill and relationship building is a skill. This session was almost overwhelming in information but all of it was necessary information and skills.
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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