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.
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On the 10-year anniversary date of first opening, Gervasi Vineyard instead had to close its doors after Gov. Mike DeWine ordered all restaurants and bars closed because of the COVID-19 outbreak. The news was devastating to general manager Scott Swaldo who ditched his month-long anniversary celebration plans and focused on finding ways to keep the business afloat and employees working.
He found it when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a few days later it was loosening restrictions on sanitizer manufacturing. That meant the company’s distillery could switch from making spirits to the much needed hand sanitizer. It also meant Swaldo could hire back some staff and give back to the community. The first 500 gallons were donated to local hospitals and first responders like fire and emergency crews. Gervasi Vineyards, a Stark County Farm Bureau member, also donated gloves to the Stark County Emergency Management Agency for distribution to local health care facilities.
“March 16 is seared in my memory forever. It was the date of our anniversary and instead of celebrating we were in crisis management,” Swaldo said. “This is a tough time for us but it doesn’t mean you don’t give back. We have always been a very charitable company and will continue to be.”
Ohio-based companies and local partners donated supplies for the first batch of hand sanitizer: Berlin Packaging (discounted bottles), Label Aid (labels), ingredients for the alcohol including Swartz Farm (corn), Hartville Elevator (milling), Lallamand (yeast) and Berandi’s (boxes).
Manufacturers across Ohio, including many other distilleries, also have helped in the effort to battle the coronavirus — from making hand sanitizers and personal protective equipment to creating necessary components for COVID-19 testing.
Gervasi Vineyards later produced hand sanitizer for consumers to purchase before resuming manufacturing of its alcohol in May. A total of 2,500 gallons of hand sanitizer were produced.
“With us being the only distillery in the area, we were happy to be able to do something very purposeful. It was a quick learning curve but we were able to fulfill an urgent need,” Swaldo said.
Photos courtesy Gervasi Vineyard
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.
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.
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