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.
Read More
A historical marker commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation is now on display on the campus of The Ohio State University. The plaque is located outside Jennings Hall, the former Botany and Zoology building, where in 1919 representatives of 76 county Farm Bureaus, with the assistance of university and county Extension leaders, established the organization.
“The fact that the meeting took place on the campus of The Ohio State University was appropriate,” said Ohio Farm Bureau President Frank Burkett III, during the presentation of the new marker. “At that first annual meeting, Ohio Farm Bureau pledged its support to its friends at Ohio State, and as you can see, Ohio State University, its Extension service and Ohio Farm Bureau are lifelong partners.”
The marker displays Ohio Farm Bureau logos, past and present, and highlights Farm Bureau’s first resolutions to support farm legislation, press for organization of a national Farm Bureau, support expansion of county Extension agent work and cooperate with Ohio State’s College of Agriculture and Experiment Station.
“The work of the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is crucial to the success of farmers and to every link in the food chain across Ohio, the nation and the world,” said Adam Sharp, executive vice president of Ohio Farm Bureau. “Today, just like 100 years ago, Farm Bureau knows the value of Ohio State’s teaching, research and Extension efforts, and we are proud to support those efforts by communicating with lawmakers, the public and others about the importance of that work.”
Dr. Cathann Kress, OSU’s vice president of Agricultural Administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, highlighted the ability to work collaboratively for the betterment of their organizations and their communities.
“Farming and its related industries have always been fraught with challenges, and you can’t easily accomplish something so ambitious as harnessing the only energy source for our planet, the sun, and converting it to use for the collective human species, who want it cheaply, fast, sustainable, delicious and high in value,” Kress said. “We have our own set of challenges today but we also have resources, technology and communications that our predecessors would have envied. That is why our partnership with Ohio Farm Bureau is so important. It was 100 years ago, it was 50 years ago and it is today.”
Another partner of both Ohio Farm Bureau and Ohio State University is Nationwide. In 1926 OFBF formed the Ohio Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, which in 1955 changed its name to Nationwide.
Mark Berven, Nationwide’s president and COO, said the values shared by the company and Farm Bureau helped grow Nationwide into one of the nation’s largest insurance providers. Brent Porteus also represented Nationwide and exemplified the links between the organizations and Ohio State. Porteus is a past president of Ohio Farm Bureau, is a current trustee for Ohio State University and is on the board of directors at Nationwide.
Also on hand was Ohio Sen. Bob Peterson, also a former Ohio Farm Bureau president. He presented a proclamation from the Ohio Senate recognizing the achievements of Ohio’s largest farm organization over the past century. Proclamations were also given by the Ohio House of Representatives and on behalf of U.S. Congressman Steve Stivers and the Ohio delegation of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Additional information about Ohio Farm Bureau’s yearlong centennial celebration can be found at ofbf.org/centennial.
Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities.
This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Joe Cornely, 614-246-8230.
Editors: A high resolution photo is available to accompany this story.
Photo caption:
Speakers at the ceremony to unveil the Farm Bureau centennial plaque at Ohio State University were (from left) Brent Porteus, former OFBF president and current Ohio State trustee and Nationwide director; Cathann Kress, Ohio State vice president for agricultural administration and dean, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; Frank Burkett III, president of Ohio Farm Bureau and Adam Sharp, executive vice president, Ohio Farm Bureau.
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.
Featured Articles
What would Grandma and Grandpa have wanted?
These discussions should not begin and end with a developer’s offer. Identifying family goals now gives the family something to plan around.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau, partners pack 10,000 meals to kick off Food and Farms Month
Ohio Farm Bureau joined leaders from across Ohio’s food and agriculture industry this week to pack 10,000 meals for central…
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau supports expanded use of dyed diesel
The administration recently issued an executive order easing restrictions on the use of tax-exempt dyed diesel fuel for on-road agricultural transportation.
Read More
Legal with Leah: Eminent Domain and Quick Take
Ohio Farm Bureau Associate General Counsel Leah Curtis explains how the eminent domain process works in Ohio, what ‘quick take’ means and when it can be used.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau statement on gas tax holiday
As fuel prices skyrocket across the state, lawmakers are preparing to return to the Statehouse to vote on the temporary suspension of Ohio’s gas tax.
Read More
Ohio’s 2026 top conservation farmers honored
Since 1984, the Conservation Farm Family Awards program has recognized Ohio farm families for their exemplary efforts conserving soil, water, woodland, wildlife, and other natural resources.
Read More
Growing our Generation: A life of service
Meet Joe Everett, a Shelby County Farm Bureau Young Ag Professional who has dedicated his life to service, both in uniform and within his local community.
Read More
How to prepare for a year-end conversation with your lender
A year-end review provides an opportunity to evaluate your operation’s financial position, discuss future goals and develop strategies for the upcoming season.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau releases new agritourism guide
Ohio Farm Bureau has created a new guide to help members better understand the laws, regulations and risk considerations that come with opening their farms to the public.
Read More