2021 Ohio Farm Bureau Ag Week

Ohio Farm Bureau’s annual Ag Day at the Capital is typically a jam-packed one day event, when Farm Bureau county leaders visit with lawmakers in Columbus. This year, it is a full Ag Week, and those visits will be happening virtually or on the farms of Farm Bureau members.

“More than ever before, Ohio Farm Bureau is being looked to by state officials to help strengthen the food supply chain and provide guidance on how to recover economically from COVID,” said Frank Burkett, president of Ohio Farm Bureau. “As a grassroots organization, it is crucial for our message to legislators to begin with our members.”

On a call with county leaders prior to Ag Week, Burkett emphasized that Ohio Farm Bureau is considered experts not only regarding agriculture but also on many other topics that impact Ohio’s communities like property rights, broadband access and water quality.

“We have built this trust by taking the time to meet face-to-face with our legislators and building relationships,” Burkett said. “That is why it is so important for our membership to meet with legislators and build on the relationships we as an organization have with them.”

During Ag Week, the Ohio Agriculture and Rural Communities Action Plan will be unveiled, laying out the major policy concerns Ohio Farm Bureau members have. Those policies include recovering from the economic fallout of COVID-19, reopening fairs, helping local businesses and investing in rural broadband.

“This action plan helps create a sense of focus for our partners in the legislature to help ensure agriculture and rural communities’ unique set of issues are addressed as part of Ohio’s recovery plan,” said Adam Sharp, executive vice president of Ohio Farm Bureau. “The great work our members do during Ag Week sets the tone and makes possible all the important advocacy work Farm Bureau will do for the rest of the year.”

Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities. Learn more at ofbf.org.

This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Ty Higgins, 614-246-8231 or [email protected].

 

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
Suggested Tags: