Shelby County Board member, Joseph Everett, resides at the Everett Family Farm just outside of Sidney where they farm over 3,000 acres in three different counties. Everett started working on the family farm once he was old enough to drive a tractor. His dad taught him how to work ground in 4th grade.

After graduation, Joseph joined the Navy. After the Navy, he returned to the family farm where he runs the operation with his father Jon, uncle Tim and cousin Tyler. Their wives also play a big part with meals and day-to day-chores. His grandma (Pat) also is a big help moving them between farms.

“There are a lot of issues in agriculture today, but our biggest issue and potential issues are trade tariffs, international trade, farm bull, and trade agreements,” he said.

Everett Farms continues to adapt to a changing environment. “Our adjustment technique is for us to ‘sharpen our pencils,’ as my grandpa use to say. We just have to be more efficient. This can be reached by marketing grain better, running equipment longer, and doing our homework on what crop varieties do best on our farm.”

There is a place for Farm Bureau involvement, he said. “Growing up, my dad has always been a member and was on the Shelby County Board of Trustees. I remember listening in on council meetings at a very young age. I became involved after I moved home from the Navy and started farming shortly after.

“It is important to be a member so that our voices can be heard about the issues that farmers have across the state. It’s hard for one to be heard, but when we come together, anything is possible.”

Thank you for your dedication to the agricultural industry as well as Shelby County Farm Bureau!

The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
Kevin Holy's avatar
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.
Ryanna Tietje's avatar
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.
Matt Aultman's avatar
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.
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman's avatar
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.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
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.
Hannah Kiser's avatar
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.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
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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