As Gov. Mike DeWine laid out orders for Ohio’s county and independent fairs to operate amid COVID-19, his goal was to try to provide an outlet for young people who participate in 4-H and FFA to do so safely during the pandemic.

On Wednesday, the governor held a call with county fair board members from across Ohio to ask them to maintain those rules in order for fairs to remain open.

“What we have unfortunately started to see is some fairs that were not following the guidelines we provided,” DeWine said, noting that 19 coronavirus cases have come from a single county fair. “The reason we provided extra money to each county fair was to help them to be able to provide safety. We want these fairs to continue, but they have to follow the rules and what the local health department says.”

The governor also has issued a statewide mask order, which goes into effect July 23 at 6 p.m.

“With the new order put in place, everyone on the fairgrounds is going to have to have a mask on and following the other protocols we have in place,” DeWine said. “We do not want to be in a position to close fairs, but fair boards will have to own their own fair and work with their local health department.”

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Ryanna Tietje

Henry County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau connections
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.
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Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
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Bill and Charlotte Wachtman

Henry County

10-year campaign for safer roads
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
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Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
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.
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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.
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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.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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