Applications for Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans now available
Members have three ways to apply: contacting a certified agent, calling 833-468-4280 or visiting ohiofarmbureauhealthplans.org.
Read More
As the COVID-19 pandemic began to unfold and Gov. Mike DeWine issued stay-at-home orders, many essential items typically easy to find at the grocery store were quickly in limited supply. It didn’t take long for retailers to place limits on many items, including milk.
Some limits on milk are still being implemented across Ohio, when in fact there is a surplus of milk being produced daily on farms. This unfortunate combination has many farms across the Midwest being forced to dump milk because processing plants have no more storage room.
“Dairy farmers and their employees wake up every single day to take care of the cows, make sure they’re fed and fill up that milk tank on the farm,” said Scott Higgins, CEO of the American Dairy Association Mideast. “The challenge we are dealing with is that the milk that was used to produce cheese, butter and other staples of the restaurant industry now needs to be delivered to consumers through the grocery stores and now those stores have to be able to rise to that occasion.”
Ohio Farm Bureau has partnered with the American Dairy Association Mideast, along with regional dairy cooperatives as they communicate directly with retailers, expressing farmers’ serious concerns about unnecessary limitations at the milk case.
“Outreach efforts with grocers and other retail outlets have been very productive,” said Adam Sharp, executive vice president of Ohio Farm Bureau. “We appreciate working with these groups to secure the removal of milk limits across the state.”
If you see an Ohio store that is limiting milk purchases, take a picture, note the location, date and time, and send it to [email protected] so that specific store can be contacted directly.
A letter has been sent to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue from American Farm Bureau, speaking on behalf of Ohio Farm Bureau and all state Farm Bureaus, urging USDA to examine every possible way to support the dairy sector and relaying policy suggestions that should be implemented with the $9.5 billion allocated for USDA in the recently passed CARES Act to help dairy farmers forced to dump their milk. Read more about those efforts in the coming days.
Online Extra
ODA guidelines: On-Farm Emergency Disposal of Raw Milk for Ohio Dairy Farms
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
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.
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.
Featured Articles
Legal with Leah: Understanding Ohio’s 2026 CAUV Update
The 2026 Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV) update brings lower values in many reappraisal counties and a significant policy win on permanent pasture.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau applauds 2026 CAUV updates
CAUV updates include a slight decline in values for counties undergoing reappraisals and a long-sought change to the valuation of permanent pastureland.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Golf Invitational raises record $118,000
These funds will help provide scholarships, expand educational programs and strengthen initiatives that connect students and young professionals to meaningful careers in agriculture.
Read More
Growing our Generation: Two perspectives on dairy farming
While many envision the dairy sector solely on the farm, modern agriculture relies heavily on vital, nontraditional supporting roles.
Read More
Regenerative farming 101: What to know if you’re making the switch
Talk to your Nationwide Farm Certified agent today to see if you’re ready to make the switch and explore what it means to your farm’s risk management strategy.
Read More
USDA announces new support, funding for local meat processors
USDA is providing $60 million in support and funding opportunities for small and mid-sized meat processors across the country. Apply by Aug. 7.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau members support maple syrup legislation
Introduced by Rep. Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-Ashtabula) and Rep. David Thomas (R-Jefferson), the bill would add trees cultivated for maple syrup production to Ohio’s statutory definition of agriculture.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau launches partnership with Gripp
Ohio Farm Bureau members receive exclusive access and discounted rates to digital tools specifically designed to maximize day-to-day productivity, simplify equipment maintenance and enhance asset protection.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau shares members’ concerns with Joint Data Center Committee
Ohio Farm Bureau shared members’ concerns about the rapid growth of data centers across the state and the long-term impacts on agriculture and rural communities.
Read More