Applications for Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans now available
Members have three ways to apply: contacting a certified agent, calling 833-468-4280 or visiting ohiofarmbureauhealthplans.org.
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The building, the office and the desk of the U.S. Department of Agriculture secretary may not have changed all that much over the past four years, but the challenges facing America’s farmers certainly have. Those challenges are now in the hands of the 32nd Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, who just so happens to have been the 30th leader of USDA under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017.
Vilsack was confirmed to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Feb. 23 by a Senate vote of 92-7.
“Mr. Vilsack’s previous experience as secretary of agriculture gives him a unique advantage in understanding the complexities of the agriculture sector,” said Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Adam Sharp. “Farm Bureau has a well-established and long-standing relationship with Secretary Vilsack and we look forward to building on that relationship to support farmers and rural America.”
American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall and Secretary Vilsack have spoken several times in recent weeks about opportunities and challenges facing America’s farmers and ranchers. In their conversations, they covered the need to overcome obstacles created by the COVID-19 pandemic, resuming the CARES Act programs and continuing to build on advances made in trade.
“We must move forward on the successes made in climate-smart practices while seeking partnerships to ensure new environmental policies remain market-based and voluntary,” Duvall said. “We also recognize the importance of strengthening the farm bill and bringing broadband to every community in America. We stand ready to work with Secretary Vilsack and USDA on issues that benefit this nation’s farmers and ranchers – his success means rural America’s success.”
Photo credit: USDA Photo by Lance Cheung
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.
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.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through 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.
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.
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.
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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