Highland County barn painting

Is that a Van Gogh on the cover of March/April Our Ohio magazine?

Not quite, but Cincinnati-area artist Robert Kroeger has spent the better part of the last few years traveling around the state and capturing the stories and artistry of Ohio’s historic barns.

His journey through Ohio is one of several heartfelt stories to be found in this issue. We also talk to a Farm Bureau member who has made it her mission to educate about distracted driving following the death of her husband. John Fullenkamp was killed by a distracted driver while moving farm equipment from one field to another in Shelby County in 2018.

Featured in the second installment of our yearlong Strengthening Communities series are Nathan Like and Jason Pfau. The co-owners of Buckeye Meats and Processing saw a great need for meat processing in Henry County and quickly established a solution, carrying on a family tradition in the process.

Rounding out our features in March/April is an Ag 101 story about MVP Dairy in Mercer County and its efforts to educate the public about the dairy industry, and Great Lakes Baking Company. The bakery, which opened in 2019, has been able to hold its own during the pandemic, thanks in part to Ohio Farm Bureau’s Health Benefits Plan.

In this issue, Executive Vice President Adam Sharp’s Across the Table column talks about the importance of Ohio’s equine sector to the state’s agriculture industry. The first part of a four-part series on the conservation practices at work at the Blanchard River Demonstration Farms is highlighted, as is a 12-page annual report on the accomplishments and growth of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation in 2020.

These are just some of what members will find in the latest issue of Our Ohio magazine, a benefit of Farm Bureau membership and Our Ohio supporters. A digital edition is also available.

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
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