November_December 2019 Our Ohio

Is hemp going to be worth all the hype? As lawmakers write the rules of hemp production, Our Ohio travels to the Bluegrass State to talk to a farmer who has been in the hemp business for a while. He details the challenges and opportunities of growing the hottest crop to hit the market in years. 

Also inside this issue is a feature about how Mennel Milling grew a popcorn company, with the help of farmers who have done it for decades, as well as a story about figuring out a sustainable future for figs in Ohio. 

One heartwarming piece brings a Farm Bureau member family full circle through gifts of generosity. It started in 1920, when a young man named Emerson Mizer was looking to better himself. He won a scholarship from Coshocton County Farm Bureau to attend Ohio State University. Fast forward almost 100 years, and read how Emerson’s son, David, paid it forward with a donation back to Farm Bureau. 

Find out how rural nurses try to meet the needs of patients who live a significant distance from healthcare, and catch up with a group of high school Global Scholars in Pickerington as they explore ag careers with the help of Fairfield County Farm Bureau.

In his column Across The Table, Ohio Farm Bureau’s Executive Vice President Adam Sharp takes a close look at the latest agricultural census and how farms, and the number of farmers, have grown in Ohio since 2012.  

News sections of the magazine are dedicated to the terrific work done by 15 county Farm Bureaus that were lauded by American Farm Bureau with County Activities of Excellence awards in 2019. New Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker talks about his rural roots in a first-hand column also included in this issue of the magazine.   

Rounding out November/December Our Ohio are recipes from the chefs at Lorain Community College Culinary Institute, as well as pages of local events happening for members as harvest winds down and winter settles in. 

Our Ohio magazine is a benefit of Farm Bureau membership and Our Ohio Supporters.

 

Farm Bureau connections
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
Giving farmers a voice
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
10-year campaign for safer roads
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
Bringing the farm back to life
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
Farm Bureau involvement
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
Select Partner Program
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
Advocacy
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