Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer

In the latest episode of Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer, Ohio Farm Bureau’s Director of Water Quality and Research steers from those topics as he talks with Marissa Mulligan, policy outreach fellow for the Ohio Farm Bureau, about an epidemic many in Ohio are drowning in – the opioid crisis.

Hoewischer and Mulligan discussed the impact of the opioid epidemic in rural communities and how Ohio Farm Bureau is helping by hosting Hope for Ohio events around the state. Hope for Ohio is a series of regional events that focus on peer-to-peer prevention strategies at a local level.

Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer is an ongoing series of conversations with experts and leaders who are helping to shape and secure the future of Ohio’s ag industry for generations to come.

Following are some highlights from this episode.

 

Q: How has the opioid crisis bubbled up to the top as such a widespread issue not only in Ohio but around the country?

A: The statistics alone are pretty overwhelming. So, drug overdose, accidental drug overdose is the number one cause of death in Ohio. It’s surpassed car accidents. The national average for overdose deaths per 100,000 people ages 15 to 64 is 22.5. Ohio’s average is 39.5. We rank third in the nation behind West Virginia and New Hampshire. In some of the southern counties where it’s hit really hard those numbers can reach 66.1 and Brown County is 70.8. It’s a huge issue. 72,000 people died in 2017 due to accidental overdose.

Q: Why Farm Bureau? We know that we have that rural tie but what can Farm Bureau do to help move the needle on this issue?

A: I think our members really came to us because there’s not only that personal connection but there’s also that business aspect. It’s really hard for them to hire people that can pass drug tests. I have a friend that’s literally facing this every day. She hauls manure and she can’t have someone driving her trucks that can’t pass a drug test. I think a lot of farmers are facing that issue. I think that’s why they really came to us and said, you know, there’s something that we need to do here. We’ve really fallen into the role of youth led prevention because I think that’s where we can help the best as an organization and touch the people that we already have strong communication with.

Q: How do we overcome negative connotations about people who struggle with drug abuse and misuse and share what is happening?

A: I’ve been really encouraging people to look at the (Ohio Opioid Education Alliance) Denial, Ohio campaign. It’s really good. Everyone should look it up. They gave me a stat one day that 66 percent of people think that the opioid crisis is an issue. But only 19 percent of that 66 percent actually think that it could be an issue for their family. So I think there’s a huge disconnect between it being an issue and that issue will never come to my family, which is just not true.

Click here for more information about the Ohio Opioid Education Alliance’s Denial, Ohio campaign.

To learn more about the Farm Town Strong campaign, a collaboration between American Farm Bureau and National Farmers Union, click here.

 

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.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
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Kevin Holy

Geauga County Farm Bureau

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
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Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
We really appreciate what Farm Bureau has done to get people interested in this line of work and workforce development and getting people interested in this industry.
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Jody Brown Boyd

Brown's Family Farm Market

Finding farm labor
We work terrifically with the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, hosting at least one to two outreach town hall events every year to educate new farmers and existing farmers on traditional CAUV and woodlands.
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David Thomas

Ashtabula County Auditor

CAUV: Past, present and future
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
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Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau involvement
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.
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Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
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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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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