Ratification of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement remains a top priority of the Trump administration, and it is top of mind of trade-war-weary farmers and everyone involved in the agriculture industry.

USMCA, the renegotiated trade deal between the three North American neighbors, was signed late last year, but it needs to be approved by each country’s legislative body. That hasn’t happened in the U.S. yet, and more than 200 leaders in the business community — including Farm Bureau — are lobbying Congress hard to make it happen sooner rather than later.

“Not only does USMCA help lock in the quadrupling of U.S. agricultural exports to our neighbors accomplished over the last 25 years, but it also includes reform of a number of trade rules and is projected to further increase our exports to two of our most important markets,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said in a recent opinion piece published by The Hill.

American Farm Bureau is a leader of the newly formed USMCA Coalition launched in late February. The coalition of businesses also has the support of organizations representing manufacturers, technology companies and other industries in the U.S. that would benefit from established and enhanced trade relationships with Canada and Mexico.

“USMCA highlights the importance of trade and protects agriculture,” said Jack Irvin, Ohio Farm Bureau senior director of state and national policy. “Efficient ratification of USMCA clears the deck with our neighbors and allows us to focus on continuing to look at trade opportunities with other countries.”

The administration also was still in negotiations with China and the European Union in March. It was reported in early March that the U.S. trade gap with China rose to $419.2 billion in 2018, up from the previous record of $375.5 billion in 2017, according to the U.S. Commerce Department.

Ohio Farm Bureau membership

The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
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Kevin Holy

Geauga County Farm Bureau

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
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.
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Ryanna Tietje

Henry County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau connections
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.
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Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
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Bill and Charlotte Wachtman

Henry County

10-year campaign for safer roads
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
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Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
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.
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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.
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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.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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