Farmer’s Guide to Trucking Regulations available to Ohio Farm Bureau members
The guide includes a farm driver checklist, overview of state and federal regulations and exemptions, CDL qualifications and more.
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March 26, the United States Environmental Protection Agency released a temporary policy regarding the agency’s enforcement of environmental legal obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic. EPA is cognizant of potential worker shortages due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the travel and social distancing restrictions imposed by both governments and corporations or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to limit the spread of COVID-19.
The consequences of the pandemic may affect facility operations and the availability of key staff and contractors as well as the ability of laboratories to timely analyze samples and provide results. As a result, there may be constraints on the ability of a facility or laboratory to carry out certain activities required by federal environmental permits, regulations and statutes. Facilities are encouraged to do everything possible to comply with their environmental compliance obligations.
The EPA expects all regulated entities to continue to manage and operate their facilities in a manner that is safe and that protects the public and the environment. However, if a facility is an animal feeding operation, and due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic it is unable to transfer animals off-site, and solely as a result of the pandemic now meets the regulatory definition of concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO), as an exercise of enforcement discretion, the EPA will not treat such animal feeding operations as CAFOs (or will not treat small CAFOs as medium CAFOs, or medium CAFOs as large CAFOs).
OFBF staff reached out to the Ohio Department of Agriculture Division of Livestock Environmental Permitting to determine what if any actions the division plans to take given the situation described above. ODA does not envision making any referrals to the attorney general’s office just because a livestock facility went over a permit threshold related to the number of livestock housed at the facility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
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.
Featured Articles
Farm Bureau welcomes summer ethanol blend waiver
The emergency fuel waiver to allow the sale of summer gasoline blends containing 15% ethanol will lengthen the period during which Americans can continue buying E15 from June 1 to Sept. 15.
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Ohio Farm Bureau introduces Small-Scale Food Business Guide
The Small-Scale Food Business Guide covers federal and state regulations for selling food products such as raw meat, dairy, eggs, baked goods, cottage foods, fruits and vegetables, honey and more.
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Cashing in the direct-to-consumer food sales boom
New resources and technology are broadening the different types of sales tools and strategies available to farmers.
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DeWine announces statewide open enrollment for H2Ohio Agricultural Incentive Program
ODA will enroll 500,000 acres into the program for a two-week sign-up period, beginning April 22, 2024, through May 6, 2024. Contact local SWCD offices to apply.
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Share named ExploreAg and Youth Development Specialist
Katie Share of Columbus has been named ExploreAg and Youth Development Specialist for Ohio Farm Bureau.
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Klopfenstein named Young Ag Professional and Ag Literacy Program Specialist
Mary Klopfenstein of Delphos has been named Young Ag Professional and Ag Literacy Program Specialist for Ohio Farm Bureau.
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Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan now offered to all sole proprietors
The plan has been updated to give sole proprietors access to more rate stability and a smart solution that offers potential savings on health care.
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Ohioans can compete for ag business startup funds
The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online by June 15 for the 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge.
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Flynn elected treasurer of Ohio Farm Bureau
Adele Flynn of Wellington has been elected treasurer of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and now holds the third highest elected office in Ohio’s largest and most influential farm organization.
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