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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Fewer than 9 percent of a city’s registered voters just passed the Lake Erie Bill of Rights, which declares that Toledoans have legal authority over some 5 million Ohioans, more than 430,000 businesses, thousands of local governments and tens of thousands of farmers. The voters didn’t stop with the 35 Ohio counties that are in the Lake Erie watershed; Toledoans’ new authority extends to parts of Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York and Canada. Under LEBOR, any Toledoan who thinks any business or any government is doing anything that might do any harm anywhere in the lake’s 30,000 square mile drainage basin can sue for damages and legal fees. Maybe.
This new self-granted power shreds existing laws that prevent cities from regulating outside their boundaries or overriding federal or state permits or defining their own felonies. LEBOR does all this, yet it passed. Bolstered by their Toledo win, out-of-state activists are already working on a LEBOR-like ballot measure that would apply statewide. Protests, rallies, advertising campaigns and lawsuits may soon be coming to towns, employers, farms and local governments near you. Maybe.
Why maybe? Because of the action of one brave Ohio farmer who is standing up for his family and the 11.5 million Ohioans who didn’t vote for this counterfeit solution to a real problem. The farmer, widely acknowledged for his environmentally friendly farming practices, filed a lawsuit, and at press time, a federal judge granted his request to put LEBOR on hold. Unfortunately, public harassment of the farmer isn’t on hold. Farm Bureau is providing assistance, as we often do in precedent-setting court cases, because it’s our job to protect our members and the food and farming sector.
Sadly, this fight was neither necessary nor productive. Even before the election, LEBOR proponents admitted their measure was not likely to stand up in court. And yet we’re now seeing the city of Toledo and an Ohio farmer spending hundreds of man hours and tens of thousands of dollars in litigation. And there’s the resources that farm organizations, like Farm Bureau, must invest to stay apprised of all the legal wrangling. This is time and money that should be invested in real world solutions instead of paying legal expenses.
I have no doubt the citizens of Toledo who favored the Lake Erie Bill of Rights had good intentions. Farmers do, too. Our differences aren’t over whether the lake should be improved and whether farmers can play a role in that. Our differences are over how. Water quality challenges won’t be solved in court rooms. They’ll be solved by farmers, researchers, educators, cities and citizens creating thoughtful solutions to complex problems. About that, there is no maybe.
Featured Image: In the past I’ve met with city officials, environmental leaders and others to provide thoughtful insights into solving Lake Erie challenges. This kind of dialogue needs to take place again. Water quality challenges won’t be solved in court rooms.
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.
Featured Articles
Ohio Farm Bureau applauds Gov. DeWine dyed diesel executive order
The executive order waives state penalties and suspends discretionary enforcement related to the use of dyed diesel on public highways through Dec. 31, 2026.
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Growing our Generation: Representing Ohio in Charlotte
Maggie Preston, Lincoln Deitrick and Denver Davis describe their role in agriculture, their Farm Bureau involvement and what it means to win their respective state awards.
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Legal with Leah: Changes to Fuel Taxes and Dyed Diesel Regulation
Associate General Counsel Leah Curtis breaks down the changes to Ohio’s fuel tax, recent guidance on dyed diesel and what farm families need to know.
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Gripp business solution to establish Ohio test group
Gripp is launching a 60-day cohort in mid-January for Ohio Farm Bureau members, offering discounted access to its asset-tracking app.
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Ohio must not make it easier to seize your property for data centers, other projects
Ohio Farm Bureau recently published an op-ed in The Columbus Dispatch highlighting the importance of protecting private property rights as discussions continue around expanding eminent domain powers in Ohio.
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What would Grandma and Grandpa have wanted?
These discussions should not begin and end with a developer’s offer. Identifying family goals now gives the family something to plan around.
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Ohio Farm Bureau, partners pack 10,000 meals to kick off Food and Farms Month
Ohio Farm Bureau joined leaders from across Ohio’s food and agriculture industry this week to pack 10,000 meals for central…
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Ohio Farm Bureau supports expanded use of dyed diesel
The administration recently issued an executive order easing restrictions on the use of tax-exempt dyed diesel fuel for on-road agricultural transportation.
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Legal with Leah: Eminent Domain and Quick Take
Ohio Farm Bureau Associate General Counsel Leah Curtis explains how the eminent domain process works in Ohio, what ‘quick take’ means and when it can be used.
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