The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced details of $12 billion in short-term relief to farmers as a trade and tariff impasse remains between China and the United States.

USDA will offer three programs to assist agricultural producers:

Administration of the market facilitation program began in September. Initially $4.7 billion will be distributed, with a large portion of that money going to soybean farmers. Hog, dairy, corn and wheat are also recipients.

Hog, dairy and wheat farmers are encouraged to visit their county Farm Service Agency office to apply. Soybean and corn farmers should visit their FSA office after their harvests are complete.

The application period runs through Jan. 15, 2019.

Farm Bureau also remains actively engaged in encouraging government leaders to come to a quick resolution with any ongoing trade disputes and is pushing for needed market access and trade opportunities around the world. At press time, negotiations with China remained stalled. A NAFTA agreement with Mexico had been reached between the Trump administration and Mexico, but not with Canada. Any NAFTA renegotiation would have have to be approved by Congress to be implemented.

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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