Duvall, Higgins

Our Ohio Weekly recently visited with American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall to talk about the impact the coronavirus has had on the agriculture industry and AFBF’s response to it.

The interview started off on a personal note as Duvall spoke about his own battle with COVID-19. He caught it from his son, who unknowingly brought it home with him during a Fourth of July visit.

“I was doing all the right things,” Duvall said, which included working from home and wearing a mask when he was out in public running to the grocery or hardware store.

“You don’t think about your family, though, and who they may have been exposed to,” he said.

He was very ill for two weeks, noting that the virus is not like the flu.

“I’ve had the flu, but it was nothing like this,” he said. Headaches, body aches and three separate temperature spikes over a two-week period resulted in a 20-pound weight loss and a drop in energy which he said was starting to come back as his appetite returned in August.

Duvall cautioned everyone to wear a mask and follow the social distance and hygiene measures encouraged by doctors and lawmakers across the country.

Duvall talked about AFBF’s rapid response to the needs of members in the early days of the crisis, including working hard to ensure H2-A workers could make it into the country for the 2020 crop season. AFBF also checked in with the needs of Farm Bureau states through constant communication, as well as lobbying efforts for farmer access to the Paycheck Protection Program as well as the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Lobbying continues for the CFAP program as new commodities are added routinely. A second round of CFAP funds was announced in September.

Through it all, and despite some bumps in the road, Duvall lauded farmers across the country for their resilience in the face of not only the virus, but volatile markets and at times adverse public opinion, calling their efforts to safely keep the food supply chain working “heroic.”

About Our Ohio Weekly

Our Ohio Weekly shares the story of Ohio agriculture and Ohio Farm Bureau. Each week, this radio program and podcast features guests who represent leaders in agriculture, government, academia and the food industry, among others. Host Ty Higgins talks to interesting guests and brings the story of Ohio agriculture to life by featuring Farm Bureau members and staff who are working hard all across Ohio.  

Our Ohio Weekly can be heard on 21 radio stations throughout Ohio, including 610 WTVN-AM in Columbus, as well as on many major podcast platforms like iHeart Radio.

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.
Mandy Way's avatar
Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
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.
Ernie Welch's avatar
Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong 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.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development
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.
Jaclyn De Candio's avatar
Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program
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.
Jenna Gregorich's avatar
Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
Jared Hughes's avatar
Jared Hughes

Groovy Plants Ranch

Groovy Plants Ranch
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.
Austin Heil's avatar
Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
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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