Darby Creek

The Environmental Protection Agency comment period on the revised definition of Waters of the United States is now open, and Farm Bureau plans to have its say on the new rule.

Ohio Farm Bureau, along with American Farm Bureau Federation and other Farm Bureaus across the country, will file comments with the EPA regarding the revised rule, said Jack Irvin, OFBF senior director of state and national policy.

“As we’ve advocated for all along, we will support a revised rule that is efficient, smart and not an overreach of authority,” Irvin said. “We want a rule that strikes a balance between the federal and state governing authorities and one that our members can embrace.”

Don Parrish, senior director of regulatory relations at AFBF, said the new rule is poised to do just that. The revised definition clarifies federal authority under the Clean Water Act, and the comment period allows farmers to tell the EPA how the new Clean Water Rule improves the flawed 2015 rule.

“The old rule included any feature that had a bed, bank and ordinary high-water mark,” Parrish said. “That included things that only had water in it during rainfall events. It is also very clear that wetlands need to be adjacent waters and tributaries that are Waters of the U.S. for them to be regulated, otherwise they’re isolated intrastate waters and they’re regulated at the state level. This rule clarifies all of that.”

The comment period closes April 15, 2019.

Ohio Farm Bureau membership

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.
Greg McGlinch's avatar
Greg McGlinch

Darke County Farm Bureau

New and beginning farmers
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.
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Nathan and Jill Parriman

Clermont County Farm Bureau

Growing Tomorrow Grant
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
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.
Wyatt Morrow's avatar
Wyatt Morrow

Clinton County Farm Bureau

Youth pathways in Farm Bureau
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
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.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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