trade

The United States and China have reached a historic agreement on a Phase One trade deal, the first of its kind between the two countries. Of the $200 billion of U.S. goods that China will buy as part of this deal, nearly 25% will come from agriculture.

“Today we take a momentous step and one that has not been taken before with China toward a future of fair and reciprocal trade,” President Donald Trump said at the signing of the agreement Jan. 15. “Together we are righting the wrongs of the past and delivering a future of economic justice and security for American workers, farmers and families.”

Ohio Farm Bureau President Frank Burkett III was invited to the White House for the agreement signing.

“The signing of a trade deal with China is a big step in the right direction as farmers in Ohio and across the country are eager to get back to business globally,” Burkett said. “Restoring our ability to be competitive in China is welcome news for U.S. agriculture, and we encourage the administration to continue building on its success in a Phase One deal and aggressively pursue a full trade agreement with China.”

USMCA approved by Senate

On the heels of the Phase One deal with China, the U.S. Senate approved the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement in bipartisan fashion in mid-January. It was previously approved by the U.S. House. The agreement establishes a new free trade agreement between the three North American partners.

“The Senate’s passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement is a huge win for our farmers in Ohio and across the country as it ensures the viability of agriculture’s trade partnerships in the global marketplace,” said OFBF President Frank Burkett III. “Trade is vital to U.S. agriculture, and we applaud Senators (Sherrod) Brown and (Rob) Portman for their bipartisan work to continue and improve our relationship with our North American trading partners.”

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
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
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
We really appreciate what Farm Bureau has done to get people interested in this line of work and workforce development and getting people interested in this industry.
Jody Brown Boyd's avatar
Jody Brown Boyd

Brown's Family Farm Market

Finding farm labor
We work terrifically with the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, hosting at least one to two outreach town hall events every year to educate new farmers and existing farmers on traditional CAUV and woodlands.
David Thomas's avatar
David Thomas

Ashtabula County Auditor

CAUV: Past, present and future
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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