Blanchard River Demonstration Farms

During the first week of the new year, Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 7, creating the Statewide Watershed Planning and Management Program.

“The creation of this program is another important step in the work being done to improve water quality in our state as it allows for the development of more localized watershed plans,” said Adam Sharp, executive vice president of Ohio Farm Bureau, during the signing ceremony of the bill. “It’s important because it provides resources for local Soil and Water Conservation Districts to help develop those plans in cooperation with area farmers and the various groups involved in water quality improvements.”

Other aspects of House Bill 7 include the Ohio Department of Agriculture director categorizing watersheds and appointing at least one watershed planning and management coordinator in each region. Those coordinators perform certain duties in the watershed, including assisting each Soil and Water Conservation District to identify sources and areas of water quality impairment.

The bill also revises requirements for CAUV eligibility of land used for biofuel production and reduces from 50% to 20% of the amount of bio-digesters that must come from the farm.

“House Bill 7 creates yet another useful tool to assist the agriculture community in its continued commitment to making improvements in water quality,” Sharp said. “That is a commitment the agriculture community looks forward to working on with the governor more in the future.”

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.
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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.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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