Election

Being an Ohio Farm Bureau member means many different things to many different people. For some, membership means sticking up for agriculture and its values. For others, it’s a sign of support for those who grow food for their communities and the world. Whatever your reasons for being a member, you will see the full value of belonging to this organization if you get engaged and join us in our efforts.

Membership to a grassroots organization like Ohio Farm Bureau means that your involvement counts. Whether you help to write new public policy, write your representatives in Columbus or D.C. or even participate in or volunteer at a local county Farm Bureau event, your action is, in essence, your vote.

It’s hard to believe that another major election season is just months away. Our TVs, radios and social media pages are already being bombarded by campaign ads, and the messages about who you should and shouldn’t support can get jumbled up and downright confusing.

Agriculture has been a major topic of discussion for many of the candidates running for office at all levels of government. That’s why it is more important than ever to do your homework this election season.

Trade wars, the climate, water quality and renewable energy are just a few of the issues that have been taken up during recent debates. The rhetoric is sure to heat up as candidates work to earn votes in farm country. It may be easy to rely on a quick evening news sound bite or a flyer hanging on your door to make a decision at the ballot box, but I encourage you to go a little farther to find out who the best candidates are for agriculture at the local, state and national levels.

Your decisions this November will have a major impact on races for county commissioners, state representatives, Ohio’s Supreme Court and the president of the United States, all of whom can affect our ideals and livelihoods with the stroke of a pen.

In this day and age, facts are hard to come by, but your Ohio Farm Bureau team will be helping you weed through all of the rhetoric and dig deeper into the issues that matter to agriculture. Watch for our annual election guide in the upcoming Our Ohio magazine September/October issue.

Just as important as your involvement in Farm Bureau is your vote. You will help determine the people we will work with at all levels of government, so be sure that you have all the information you need to make decisions that will keep agriculture on a successful path for many years to come. 

Ohio Farm Bureau membership

 

Labor has always been an issue, mainly because we are a seasonal operation. So that's a challenge finding somebody who only wants to work three months out of a year, sometimes up to six months.
Mandy Way's avatar
Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
I appreciate the benefit of having a strong voice in my corner. The extras that are included in membership are wonderful, but I'm a member because of the positive impact to my local and state agricultural communities.
Ernie Welch's avatar
Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities
I see the value and need to be engaged in the community I live in, to be a part of the decision-making process and to volunteer with organizations that help make our community better.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development
Farm Bureau involvement has taught me how to grow my professional and leadership experience outside of the workforce and how to do that in a community-centric way.
Jaclyn De Candio's avatar
Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program
With not growing up on a farm, I’d say I was a late bloomer to agriculture. I feel so fortunate that I found the agriculture industry. There are so many opportunities for growth.
Jenna Gregorich's avatar
Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
Jared Hughes's avatar
Jared Hughes

Groovy Plants Ranch

Groovy Plants Ranch
If it wasn't for Farm Bureau, I personally, along with many others, would not have had the opportunity to meet with our representatives face to face in Washington.
Austin Heil's avatar
Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
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