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.
Read More
American Farm Bureau Federation is asking farmers and ranchers to urge their lawmakers to support House and Senate legislation to eliminate the estate tax.
The current but temporary estate tax exemption of $11 million per person has allowed farmers and ranchers to expand their businesses, upgrade buildings and purchase needed equipment and livestock, rather than spend their money
on life insurance and estate planning. More importantly, when a family member dies, the family can keep a future in farming, without having to sell land, livestock or equipment to pay the tax. The exemption is indexed for inflation while continuing stepped-up basis and portability between spouses.
“In spite of this much-appreciated relief, estate taxes still hang heavy over many family farm businesses. Farm and ranch assets are usually tied to illiquid assets such as land, buildings and equipment. When estate taxes on an agricultural business exceed cash and other liquid assets, surviving family members have few options other than to sell off farm and ranch assets, placing their business at risk,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said in a letter to Capitol Hill lawmakers.
Duvall also noted that in 2026, the estate tax exemption reverts to $5.5. million per person, which will force many farmers and ranchers to divert resources from their agricultural business for estate tax planning – unless Congress extends the higher estate tax exemption rate.
“The American Farm Bureau believes that tax laws should protect, not harm the family farms that grow America’s food and fiber, and give sons and daughters the ability to follow the agricultural legacy of their parents,” he wrote.
The Farm Bureau-backed Death Tax Repeal Act of 2021 (H.R. 1712, S. 617) was introduced in the House and Senate earlier this month, and Farm Bureau members are encouraged to contact their members of Congress in support of the bills. According to AFBF analysis, not repealing the estate tax threatens more than 74,000 family farms across the country and nearly half of all farmland.
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.
Featured Articles
Legal with Leah: Understanding Ohio’s 2026 CAUV Update
The 2026 Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV) update brings lower values in many reappraisal counties and a significant policy win on permanent pasture.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau applauds 2026 CAUV updates
CAUV updates include a slight decline in values for counties undergoing reappraisals and a long-sought change to the valuation of permanent pastureland.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Golf Invitational raises record $118,000
These funds will help provide scholarships, expand educational programs and strengthen initiatives that connect students and young professionals to meaningful careers in agriculture.
Read More
Growing our Generation: Two perspectives on dairy farming
While many envision the dairy sector solely on the farm, modern agriculture relies heavily on vital, nontraditional supporting roles.
Read More
Regenerative farming 101: What to know if you’re making the switch
Talk to your Nationwide Farm Certified agent today to see if you’re ready to make the switch and explore what it means to your farm’s risk management strategy.
Read More
USDA announces new support, funding for local meat processors
USDA is providing $60 million in support and funding opportunities for small and mid-sized meat processors across the country. Apply by Aug. 7.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau members support maple syrup legislation
Introduced by Rep. Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-Ashtabula) and Rep. David Thomas (R-Jefferson), the bill would add trees cultivated for maple syrup production to Ohio’s statutory definition of agriculture.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau launches partnership with Gripp
Ohio Farm Bureau members receive exclusive access and discounted rates to digital tools specifically designed to maximize day-to-day productivity, simplify equipment maintenance and enhance asset protection.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau shares members’ concerns with Joint Data Center Committee
Ohio Farm Bureau shared members’ concerns about the rapid growth of data centers across the state and the long-term impacts on agriculture and rural communities.
Read More