ODOT personnel invited to the farm to talk infrastructure
As the event wrapped up, ODOT representatives expressed an interest in having Ohio Farm Bureau at the table when future projects are considered.
Read MoreThe grants help small and medium-sized livestock and poultry processors implement processing efficiencies, expand or construct facilities at existing sites, assist in training and certification, and improve harvest services.
Earlier this week, the Ohio Controlling Board approved $18 million to be allocated to the Ohio Meat Processing Grant Program. These additional funds are the result of a very strong response to the initial $10 million granted through the 2022 – 2023 biennial state budget to help small and medium-sized livestock and poultry processors implement processing efficiencies, expand or construct facilities at existing sites, assist in training and certification, and improve harvest services.
“The need for the Ohio Meat Processing Grant Program, which Farm Bureau helped develop and advocated for, was proven by the demand for the first round of funding and the announcement of additional grants,” said Adam Sharp, executive vice president of Ohio Farm Bureau. “We appreciate Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted, as well as the entire Ohio Legislature, for their continued investment into the state’s small and medium-sized meat processors so improvements can be made to meet the demand for locally grown meat and poultry. The results will be more marketing opportunities for farmers, additional buying options for consumers and a stronger food supply system for all Ohioans.”
Within the first day of accepting applications for the initial round of the program, processors across Ohio had requested nearly three times the initial $10 million.
“We were so inspired by the number of meat processors that wanted to take part in the program that we, along with the Department of Development, immediately started looking into other funding opportunities for them,” said Dorothy Pelanda, director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture. “Needless to say, there is a tremendous amount of interest in the program.”
According to ODA Division of Meat Inspection Chief Dr. Juan Leon, this funding will help to decentralize meat processing in Ohio as it begins to expand to a point where the industry will take on a completely new look.
“This program will allow the smaller meat processors and the farmers they work with to get out of the shadows of the larger meat companies,” Leon said.
As the event wrapped up, ODOT representatives expressed an interest in having Ohio Farm Bureau at the table when future projects are considered.
Read MoreUnder HB 397, notice must be given by Sept. 1 to terminate a farm lease, and the lease will terminate at the conclusion of harvest or Dec. 31, whichever comes first.
Read MoreThanks to the work of Ohio Farm Bureau members through the organization’s Action Alert process, the budget will avert the potential negative impacts of a proposed property tax policy change.
Read MoreOhio Farm Bureau supports Issue 1. This FAQ answers questions about what this initiative means to agriculture.
Read MoreThe U.S. Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that the EPA went too far with its enforcement of the Clean Water Act.
Read MoreAs a result of the Federal Milk Marketing Forum, delegates at the 2023 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention adopted policies to guide the organization’s work on the dairy pricing front.
Read MoreOn this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, hear from Ohio Farm Bureau members who took part in the American Farm Bureau Federal Milk Marketing Order Forum, which resulted in some positive conversations and new policy for dairy pricing moving forward.
Read MoreIncluded in HB 1 is the elimination of the 10% property tax rollback, which is a significant concern for Farm Bureau members.
Read MoreSoil and water tests are being developed and conducted, site run-off monitoring is taking place, and livestock have shown no signs of illness or lingering effects from the aftermath of the derailment itself or the chemical burn-off that followed.
Read MoreEPA would like to delay the sale of E15 year-round until summer 2024.
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