The Pickaway County Farm Bureau is the largest membership organization in Pickaway County and is focused on all aspects of those working in the agricultural industry. Pickaway County Farm Bureau was organized and incorporated as a non-profit corporation in 1928.
Pickaway County Farm Bureau is one of 86 county Farm Bureaus that make up the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. In 2022, Pickaway County had 685 active members. Active members are identified as anyone whose livelihood depends on the agricultural industry.
Pickaway County Farm Bureau is led by an elected board consisting of 16 trustees. Those currently serving as county board trustees are:
- Cole Clark – Jackson Twp.
- Kent Hardin – Pickaway Twp.
- Callen Ett-Logan – Harrison Twp.
- Ryan Mast – Darby Twp.
- Robert McCarley – Scioto Twp.- Vice President
- Blake Metzger – Deercreek Twp. – Treasurer
- Bennett Musselman – Muhlenburg Twp.
- Asa Radcliff – Green Twp.
- Lee Radcliff – Pickaway Twp.
- Katerina Sharp – Clearcreek Twp. – Secretary
- Kayla Steerman – Clearcreek Twp.
- Carlee Stewart – Saltcreek Twp.
- Keith Summers – Washington Twp.
- Austin Wippel – Muhlenburg Twp.
- Brad Wolford – Washington Twp. – President
- Ryan Wristel – Scioto Twp.
The mission of Farm Bureau is “Working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities.” The Pickaway County Farm Bureau recently adopted the following policies during its 2021 county annual meeting:
PICKAWAY COUNTY POLICIES:
- The Pickaway County Farm Bureau supports creating and establishing an agricultural education program and FFA chapter at Circleville High School within the Circleville City Public School System as part of the Pickaway-Ross Career Development Center.
- The Pickaway County Farm Bureau supports the creation of the Inspiration Station and its effort to create safe, educational, and fulfilling activities for the youth of Pickaway County.
- The Pickaway County Farm Bureau supports strengthening the ties to youth and young agricultural professional programs in the county, including science-based agriculture education activities for youth that increase awareness, and promote dialogue about food and farming such as Ag Days, Ag in the Classroom, FFA and 4-H.
- The Pickaway County Farm Bureau encourages Townships, County and State right of way to be properly and routinely maintained, including mowing, spraying for noxious weeds, and snow removal.
- The Pickaway County Farm Bureau encourages a strong relationship between local, county, and state law enforcement with an emphasis on the education of proper transportation of farm equipment on public roadways.
- The Pickaway County Farm Bureau encourages members to work closely with their local fire department to provide all relevant information relating to storage, transportation, and use of any hazardous materials around the farm.
- The Pickaway County Farm Bureau encourages zoning regulations throughout the county to be modified to mandate that solar panels be installed on the roof of any new commercial building, or any additions or remodels to any current commercial building in the county with panels covering at least 75 percent of available area.
OHIO FARM BUREAU FEDERATION POLICIES
- The Pickaway County Farm bureau supports the research and implementation of standardizing the testing process for toxins in grains delivered to elevators.
- The Pickaway County Farm Bureau supports the ability to have any grain that is rejected or docked by a grain buyer for toxins to be tested by an independent, federally licensed, third party allowing the producer to recoup losses from the grain buyer if the independent test is determined to be within the grain buyers published thresholds.
- The Pickaway County Farm Bureau supports increased funding to local governments to improve the safety and conditions of rural-roads and bridges.
- The Pickaway County Farm Bureau encourages the Ohio Power Siting Board to take into consideration the economic and environmental impact to food security and the agricultural industry as a whole when converting productive farmland into alternative energy projects.
AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION POLICIES:
- The Pickaway County Farm Bureau encourages congress to pass the 2023 Farm Bill on time.
- The Pickaway County Farm Bureau supports immigration reform including an uncapped Agriculture Worker Visa program.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Pickaway County Farm Bureau, the dues are $95 per year, plus an optional donation of $6 for the AGGPAC fund, which supports better government. You can contact the Pickaway County office at 740-474-6284.