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.
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Yes, the 2018 Farm Bill, signed into law in December, removed hemp from its illegal classification under the Controlled Substances Act. But, no, that doesn’t mean farmers can start planting the crop just yet.
Ohio Senate Bill 57, introduced by Sen. Brian Hill and Sen. Stephen Huffman, proposes to legalize hemp cultivation and processing in the state, as well as legalize the sale of hemp-derived products like CBD oil. The legislation was referred to the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee in late February.
“Farmers are always looking for new options to diversify their operations,” said Adam Sharp, Ohio Farm Bureau executive vice president. “We applaud Senator Hill for introducing legislation to help bring industrial hemp to Ohio and to allow farmers to explore the potential of this quickly growing market opportunity.”
It will take a while before growing hemp is legal in Ohio, according to Tony Seegers, OFBF director of state policy. The proposed bill also aims to establish a licensing program to be regulated by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
“This takes legislation,” Seegers said. “The state has to formulate its own plan and then submit it to the USDA for approval. Once approved, licensed Ohio farmers will be able to grow hemp. We look forward to continuing to work on this issue with our legislators.”
Policy in support of hemp cultivation in Ohio was adopted by Ohio Farm Bureau Federation last year.
(Editor’s Note: The Ohio Department of Agriculture Hemp Program will begin accepting license applications from potential cultivators and processors for the 2020 growing season on March 3 at noon. All cultivators and processors are required to obtain a license and can apply online at www.agri.ohio.gov
at that time.)
Hemp or marijuana
Hemp, now legal in Ohio, and its illegal cousin marijuana are species of cannabis, but they have different properties. Marijuana contains much more tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) than hemp. THC is the part of a cannabis plant that can cause a psychoactive effect in certain concentrations, but hemp plants generally do not contain enough THC to produce a “high” and its properties can be used in a large variety of products.
Source: OSU Extension Farm Office
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.
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