AFBF Issue Advisory Team 2019

As a true grassroots organization, Farm Bureau draws its strength, passion, direction and authority directly from its membership base. Nowhere is this more obvious, or more exciting, than in late February when Farm Bureau members from all over the nation meet in Washington, D.C. to participate in their respective Issue Advisory Committees.

These committees provide an avenue for Farm Bureau’s grassroots leaders to contribute their expertise on specific issues to the organization’s policy deliberations. The 13 groups are organized topically, covering everything from Animal Care to Water, Energy to Invasive Species. Nestled right in in middle of it all is the committee on which I am honored to serve as chairman: Organic and Direct Marketing. We may be the smallest of the committees, composed of members from California, Indiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Ohio and Texas, but we are dedicated to representing all of the organic and direct marketing members of Farm Bureau.

This year’s meeting had its challenges right from the start, as winter weather rolled in strong on Washington. My flight out of Columbus was the fourth scheduled for the day, but the first to successfully make the trip! Fortunately, the other Ohio delegates, including Ryan Conklin (a fellow AgriPOWER Class VIII graduate), Joe Steiner, Jerry Lahmers and Jack Irvin all made it to Washington safely as well. Needless to say, Ohio was strongly represented at Farm Bureau’s national level.

Over the course of the next day, my committee discussed matters of importance to our segments of agriculture, including farm bill implementation, integrity of imported organic grain, GAP/GHP/Organic certifier cross-training, strict enforcement of organic’s pastured livestock rule, and COOL labeling for beef and pork. We were privileged to meet with Dr. Jennifer Tucker (deputy administrator with the USDA Organic Program) and Wes King (senior policy specialist with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition). Perhaps most importantly, these eight dedicated farmers spent a portion of their day reviewing American Farm Bureau policy, specifically with an eye toward language of inclusion, accurate representation, and highlighting remnants of old policy that potentially alienate those we are charged to represent.

Farm Bureau stands for all farmers, regardless of methods or production practices, and the fact that a committee for Organic and Direct Marketing exists is a strong testament to that truth. It is both a privilege and an honor to participate in this important work, serve my committee as chairman, and represent Ohio Farm Bureau at the national level. Through the focused efforts of all of these committees, Farm Bureau’s grassroots remain deep and strong!

Photo caption: Chuck Fry (AFBF Board Liaison, Maryland), Colleen Gerke (Missouri), myself, Karin Reeves (New York), Carolyn Olson (Minnesota) and Jo Lynn Mitchell (Mississippi). Not pictured: Adam Moody (Indiana), Jessica Richmond (Texas) and Blake Alexander (California).

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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