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].

New and beginning farmers
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.
Greg McGlinch's avatar
Greg McGlinch

Darke County Farm Bureau

Growing Tomorrow Grant
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.
Nathan and Jill Parriman's avatar
Nathan and Jill Parriman

Clermont County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Youth pathways in 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.
Wyatt Morrow's avatar
Wyatt Morrow

Clinton County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
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.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Select Partner Program
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.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Advocacy
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

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