Paul Ralston

Welcome to Hardin County Farm Bureau’s member spotlight blog! Every month, Hardin County Farm Bureau will feature a spotlight blog on a board member so you can get to know him or her a little better.

Our monthly spotlight blog features Hardin County Farm Bureau’s board trustee, Paul Ralston, who is originally from Foraker. Paul graduated from Upper Scioto Valley High School. He is active in the Hardin County Ag Society and Hardin County Fair Foundation.

Meet Paul Ralston

What and where do you farm?

I farm corn and soybean in Foraker.

How long have you been a farmer?

I have been a farmer for 15 years.

Why did you decide to be a farmer (or work in agribusiness)?

To continue with a passion that I’ve had since I was young.

What do you love about farming?

I love the thought of feeding the world and being a part of that.

Why do you think it’s important to know where your food comes from?

To understand and be comfortable with the safety of our food.

What is the biggest challenge facing agriculture?

The generational gap between the ag community and general society.

Why are you a Farm Bureau member? What do you see as the biggest benefit?

The importance of having a larger voice.

What is your favorite Farm Bureau event or activity?

The ATV tour.

What are your hobbies beside farming?

I love to hunt and fish, I just never get time to do it. I volunteer to very worthy causes that do great things.

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.
Kevin Holy's avatar
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.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
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.
Jody Brown Boyd's avatar
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.
David Thomas's avatar
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.
Hannah Kiser's avatar
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.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
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.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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