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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Ohio Farm Bureau State Board Trustee and first-generation farmer Nathan Brown of Hillsboro knows a thing or two about trying new things.
Expenses associated with manpower and equipment prompted the first-time farmer to try a no-till approach to planting in the early 2000s. No-till is a farming practice that disrupts soil less, which helps the land retain its organic matter and nutrients while increasing water infiltration into the ground and decreasing runoff.
Since finding success in that practice and others he’s tried, including being a strong proponent of cover crops, Brown was awarded the Ohio No-Till Council’s 2018 Outstanding No-Till Farmer award. He is actively asking for more farmers to tell the stories of their own conservation practices.
Q: Why did you create the Ohio Soil Health and Cover Crops Facebook group in March?
A: Several states had a platform where farmers could share what conservation practices they have in place for soil health and water quality and Ohio didn’t. The group is another way to have a farmer-to-farmer conversation.
Q: Water quality is a top priority for Farm Bureau and Ohio’s farmers. Can you explain why clean water starts with soil health and why it is so important?
A: I am a father. I would do anything and everything to protect my kids, and I am a father to the land. It’s what sustains our family and I’ll do everything I can to keep soil healthy and water pure. There are many ways to measure our effects on soil health.
Brown encourages farmers to join the group.
Online Extra
Early planting soybean flop (and other soil health lessons) shared on new forum for farmers
Cutline: Nathan Brown
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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