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
One of the world’s largest meatpackers recently announced it had been hit by a cyber-attack. JBS announced Sunday some of the servers supporting its North American and Australian IT systems were targeted. The company took immediate action, suspending all of the affected systems, notifying authorities, and activating the company’s global network of IT professionals and third-party experts to resolve the situation, but said a resolution of the incident will take time, which may delay certain transactions with customers and suppliers.
“It is concerning whenever we see disruptions in our food supply chain,” said Scott Bennett, director of congressional relations with the American Farm Bureau Federation. “We hope JBS can get up and running as soon as possible. This event has certainly shined a light on how vulnerable even agriculture can be to cybersecurity threats.”
This is an all-to-familiar situation for livestock farmers, after food shortages amid the COVID-19 pandemic unveiled just how fragile the nation’s food supply system is. To address those shortfalls, Ohio Farm Bureau has put a focus on making the state’s food system more resilient for farmers and consumers.
“We have been looking at this issue for a long time bringing capacity issues and the need to grow our state’s small and medium size packers to the attention of lawmakers,” said Brandon Kern, Ohio Farm Bureau’s senior director of state and national policy. “Funding in this year’s budget shows that our message is getting through and we are very encouraged by these first steps to help grow local capacity for our livestock producers.”
The budget appropriates $10 million to the Department of Development for the creation of the Meat Processing Investment Program, which will make grants to meat processing plants for facility improvements and capacity expansion, including but not limited to equipment purchases or upgrades, training, and process improvements.
These funds may also be helpful in alleviating other issues Farm Bureau is working on, including line speeds in regional hog processing facilities and market price disparities currently being realized in the beef industry, but they will not solve them completely.
“We have to continue looking at the bigger picture of these issues. The meat packing industry is dominated by four major players and two of them are foreign owned and producers are concerned about that,” Kern said. “They are also concerned about price points and the current logistics in the supply chain. What is being done in Ohio will help, but these issues span much further than our state lines and we will continue to work on our members’ behalf to see that their concerns are addressed.”
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.
Featured Articles
Gripp business solution to establish Ohio test group
Gripp is launching a 60-day cohort in mid-January for Ohio Farm Bureau members, offering discounted access to its asset-tracking app.
Read More
Ohio must not make it easier to seize your property for data centers, other projects
Ohio Farm Bureau recently published an op-ed in The Columbus Dispatch highlighting the importance of protecting private property rights as discussions continue around expanding eminent domain powers in Ohio.
Read More
What would Grandma and Grandpa have wanted?
These discussions should not begin and end with a developer’s offer. Identifying family goals now gives the family something to plan around.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau, partners pack 10,000 meals to kick off Food and Farms Month
Ohio Farm Bureau joined leaders from across Ohio’s food and agriculture industry this week to pack 10,000 meals for central…
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau supports expanded use of dyed diesel
The administration recently issued an executive order easing restrictions on the use of tax-exempt dyed diesel fuel for on-road agricultural transportation.
Read More
Legal with Leah: Eminent Domain and Quick Take
Ohio Farm Bureau Associate General Counsel Leah Curtis explains how the eminent domain process works in Ohio, what ‘quick take’ means and when it can be used.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau statement on gas tax holiday
As fuel prices skyrocket across the state, lawmakers are preparing to return to the Statehouse to vote on the temporary suspension of Ohio’s gas tax.
Read More
Ohio’s 2026 top conservation farmers honored
Since 1984, the Conservation Farm Family Awards program has recognized Ohio farm families for their exemplary efforts conserving soil, water, woodland, wildlife, and other natural resources.
Read More
Growing our Generation: A life of service
Meet Joe Everett, a Shelby County Farm Bureau Young Ag Professional who has dedicated his life to service, both in uniform and within his local community.
Read More