Ohio Statehouse

Shortly after the Ohio General Assembly passed a Capital Budget in the form of House Bill 687, Gov. Mike DeWine signed it into law. This funding allocates $3.5 billion to a myriad of initiatives over the next two years.

“This budget is designed to support infrastructure and brick and mortar projects,” said Brandon Kern, senior director of state and national policy with Ohio Farm Bureau. “There is also funding in this budget provided for community projects, like local parks, and assistance for our county fairs as well.”

Ohio Farm Bureau heavily advocated for two major projects that are slated for funding through this legislation. Support for a new state-of-the-art Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at the Ohio Department of Agriculture and much needed renovations to the Ohio Expo Center will have a major impact on Ohio agriculture directly

“The ADDL is the only full-service, all species veterinary diagnostic laboratory in the state of Ohio and it is absolutely critical in the defense of threats just like we are seeing now with African Swine Fever in pigs and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in poultry and other animal disease outbreaks that may occur,” Kern said. “The current laboratory occupies an antiquated building, it lacks the space needed for adequate testing capacity and it is functioning without updated technology and the latest equipment that its counterparts across the country have.”

Farm Bureau worked with ODA to assess its needs for an upgraded laboratory and then shared those needs with lawmakers. The nearly $71.5 million allotted for this project will allow ADDL to continue to protect the food system at the highest level for both the agriculture sector and Ohio consumers.

Also in the Capital Budget is $21.5 million for the Ohio Expo Center and Ohio State Fair. This funding is broken down into three categories: one for immediate and critical facility improvements and modernization, one for emergency renovations and equipment as needed and one for the work of the Ohio Expo 2050 Task Force, which was created to develop the recommended long-term vision of the Ohio State Fair.

“We view this portion of the budget as an initial down payment for making urgent fixes to the Expo Center grounds,” Kern said. “The comprehensive needs for the facility are going to require significantly more resources as we pointed out to our representatives earlier this year, but this is a great initial investment to get the process started.”

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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