The application period is open for farmers in the Maumee River Watershed who are interested in being a part of the Farmer Advocate for Conservation program.
“We know that there are a lot of farmers doing really great things for soil health and water quality in this part of the state, and we want to elevate the voices of those farmers,” said Stephanie Singer, Western Lake Erie Basin outreach education specialist with The Nature Conservancy. “This program is designed to help farmers learn from each other.”
Ohio Farm Bureau member Jeff Duling will be taking part in the program as an advocate. He farms in Putnam County and has used some unorthodox conservation practices on his ground, including putting some type of cover crop on every single acre. He looks forward to sharing his conservation work with other farmers in his area.
“My farms are covered in either wheat, cereal rye or some type of crop because I can’t tolerate seeing bare ground and water laying on my fields,” Duling said. “All of my neighbors want to talk about yields and I get good yields too, but I’m looking at the long term as far as the quality of my soil. I am hopeful this training will help me communicate why I do what I do with those that farm around me.”
Farmer Advocate for Conservation participants will be compensated for their time to attend the training seminar and work with other farmers in developing best practices for soil health and water quality.
The first training will occur in January and February 2021 and will be completely virtual, which will allow farmers to train in the comfort of their own home or office. Another training is scheduled for March/April 2021. The compensation is $30 per hour.
Ohio Farm Bureau is a partner of this program, along with Ohio State University, American Farmland Trust and National Wildlife Federation. To apply as a Farmer Advocate for Conservation or to nominate a farmer who would be an excellent candidate, please click this link or contact [email protected].
The House and Senate have voted to pass a bill that avoids a looming government shutdown. The bill, which includes short-term spending, disaster aid and a farm bill extension.
Read More
The disaster relief funding disbursement will be overseen by the Ohio Department of Agriculture and administered through local soil & water districts.
Read More
The winners of the 2024 Ohio Farm Bureau Advocacy in Action Award are Roger Baker of Wayne County and Neall Weber (posthumously) of Franklin County.
Read More
The requirement for businesses that are registered with their state to file information about beneficial owners with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has been paused.
Read More
Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives recommend safe energy conservation during extreme cold snaps to help alleviate demand.
Read More
Delegates discussed many important topics including carbon sequestration and mental health at the Ohio Farm Bureau’s 106th Annual Meeting.
Read More
Bill Patterson, Cy Prettyman and Adele Flynn will continue to serve as officers for Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.
Read More
10 Ohio Farm Bureau members were elected to the federation’s state board during the 106th annual meeting.
Read More
The grants help inspire, encourage and nurture young agricultural professionals and entrepreneurs to find creative and transformative ways to address challenges facing the agricultural sector today.
Read More
The 2024 Distinguished Service Award recipients are Dr. John Mossbarger of Fayette County, Sen. Rob Portman of Warren County and Jane Scott of Franklin County.
Read More
