Rural school children lack access to high speed broadband.

As the Ohio Senate worked through its version of the Fiscal Year 2022-23 biennial budget, nearly $200 million in funding for the Broadband Expansion Grant Program, created for the development of broadband infrastructure and increased access for high-speed internet, was stripped.

In response, Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Adam Sharp sent a letter to the General Assembly this week, saying now is the time to address the need for reliable, affordable broadband for all Ohioans. A portion of the letter states:

“Only 61% of rural residents have access to broadband. There are entire communities in Ohio with no access to connectivity or limited reliability putting them at an economic disadvantage. Rural Ohioans’ quality of life depends on technology. Whether it be for education, business, health care, or entertainment, our need for reliable internet access is critical. With new broadband access comes increased economic opportunities especially considering the current changes taking place in the workforce. Without it, Ohioans in these unserved and underserved areas will continue to fall behind.”

The letter also emphasized the increasing use of broadband in agriculture and how access is essential for farmers to follow commodity markets, communicate with customers, deploy precision agriculture tools, comply with regulatory requirements and access new markets around the world.

“State tax revenues are running in surplus, and the state is receiving billions of dollars from the federal government. At least a portion of these resources should be reinvested in communities in need of broadband access,” Sharp wrote. “As the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted, the internet is no longer a luxury item as many aspects of society depend upon connectivity to sustain healthy communities. Therefore, Farm Bureau respectfully asks you to reinstate the Governor’s proposed funding levels for broadband in House Bill 110.”

The budget process will be moving at a feverish pace, as the bill must be completed by lawmakers, then reviewed and signed by Gov. Mike DeWine by June 30 for the appropriations to take effect July 1, the first day of the new state fiscal year.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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