Fairfield County Farm Bureau

The Fairfield County Farm Bureau is the largest membership organization in Fairfield County and is focused on all aspects of those working in the agricultural industry. Fairfield County Farm Bureau was organized in 1921 and incorporated as a non-profit corporation in 1933.

Fairfield County Farm Bureau is one of 86 county Farm Bureaus that make up the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. In 2023, Fairfield County had 868 members. Active members are identified as anyone whose livelihood depends on the agricultural industry. 

Fairfield County Farm Bureau is led by an elected board consisting of 11 trustees. Those currently serving as county board trustees are:

  • Derek Burns of Liberty Twp. – Secretary
  • Dalton Hyme of Berne Twp.-Treasurer
  • David Mast of Pleasant Twp.
  • Trish Preston of Violet Twp. – Vice-President
  • Josh Schulz of Rushcreek Twp.
  • Lynne Schultz of Rushcreek Twp. – President
  • Kyle Sharp of Clearcreek Twp. 
  • Carl DeBruin of Clearcreek Twp.
  • Kendall Foster of Clearcreek Twp.
  • Victoria Meade of Violet Twp.
  • Mike Wolfe of Walnut Twp.

Fairfield County Farm Bureau trustees are currently working to fill two open seats. 

The mission of Farm Bureau is “Working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities.” The Fairfield County Farm Bureau recently adopted the following policies during its 2022 county annual meeting: 

County Policies

  • Fairfield County Farm Bureau supports a program that encourages landowners to actively maintain their septic systems and discharging aerators to reduce nutrients and E-coli impacts on local water sources and streams.
  • Fairfield County Farm Bureau continues to support the  Fairfield SWCD initiatives of Buckeye Lake Water Quality monitoring, and the reinvestment in the dams of the Upper Hocking Watershed, and monitor the update of the Hocking River TMDL beginning in 2022.
  • Fairfield County Farm Bureau supports the establishment of an educational program for equine owners on the proper management of manure and paddock management.

State Policies

  • Fairfield County Farm Bureau supports the use of the Ohio Pipeline Standards and Construction Specifications as the minimum expectation in the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB), and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) permitting projects in the state of Ohio.
  • Fairfield County Farm Bureau supports the recoupment of CAUV funds to be directed to a local agricultural support fund for the purchase of conservation easements in support of local land use plans and conservation partnerships, or county Farmland Preservation programs.
  • Fairfield County Farm Bureau supports the creation of a PILOT fund, for the purpose of purchasing conservation easements in the development of solar fields.
  • Fairfield County Farm Bureau supports the collaboration among conservation and ag professionals, along with law enforcement and mental health professionals to address mental health concerns when neighborhood disputes exist due to pollution and water quality issues.
  • Fairfield County Farm Bureau supports the creation of a fund to pay for log jam removals and stream bank stabilization efforts on the main stems of rivers and streams. 

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Fairfield County Farm Bureau, the dues are $120 per year, plus an optional donation of $6 for the AGGPAC fund, which supports better government. You can contact the Fairfield County office at 740-474-6284.

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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