soybeans

With the Feb. 26 special election on the Lake Erie Bill of Rights looming in the city of Toledo, Ohio Farm Bureau is encouraging farmers to enroll their operations in an agricultural district. 

OFBF Policy Counsel and Senior Director of Member Engagement Leah Curtis sat down with Ty Higgins, OFBF director of media relations, to discuss LEBOR’s potential impacts and the overall benefits to farmers who enroll in an agricultural district.

The Lake Erie Bill of Rights (LEBOR) states that Lake Erie, and the Lake Erie Watershed, has the right to “exist, flourish and naturally evolve…” and gives any Toledoan the right to file a lawsuit on the lake’s behalf against any business or government entity in the Lake Erie Watershed.

The ag district program provides an affirmative defense for farmers in certain types of nuisance lawsuits. While it is not certain this defense will apply in potential LEBOR cases, it is one of the best and most underutilized tools in agriculture.

Regardless of where a farming operation is located in the state, taking the step of enrolling in an ag district can be an extra legal tool in defense of your operation. Contact your county auditor to enroll.

Online Extra

Ohio Ag Net LEBOR podcast with Leah Curtis

Ohio Farm Bureau membership

Farm Bureau connections
To grow a network and gain perspective and knowledge in the industry through personal and professional development has been invaluable. Every day I learn and grow.
Ryanna Tietje's avatar
Ryanna Tietje

Henry County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau connections
Giving farmers a voice
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
10-year campaign for safer roads
Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman's avatar
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman

Henry County

10-year campaign for safer roads
Bringing the farm back to life
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
Farm Bureau involvement
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
Select Partner Program
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
Advocacy
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
Suggested Tags: