Ohio flag

Looking out for the best interests of Ohio agriculture and our rural communities is a top priority for Ohio Farm Bureau. Many times that means working with legislators to make sure strong policies are in place so farm families and agribusinesses can continue to thrive, or communicating with regulators to ensure our voices are heard and sound science is used if new rules that could have an impact on farmers are being discussed.

Adam Sharp, Ohio Farm Bureau
Adam Sharp

It seems that now, more than ever, we are seeing attempts to impede the livelihood of our members through another avenue altogether: the court system. Proposition 12 out of California, which set unreasonable rules for livestock producers in that state and beyond, is now being taken up in the U.S. Supreme Court. The Lake Erie Bill of Rights here in Ohio, until it was struck down in court, gave human rights to a body of water. These are both prime examples of outside interests needling their contrarian ideals into the fabric of our way of life by using the judicial process.

Presently, Farm Bureau is involved with cases regarding property rights in Ohio and a case in the highest court in the land about what is considered to be a wetland in the Clean Water Act.

As if those challenges weren’t enough, we also are dealing with volatility in the agricultural markets and unpredictability in our supply chains and food channels. In a time of so much uncertainty, Ohio’s agriculture community needs a consistent Ohio Supreme Court.

Because of this, who we elect to run our judicial system at the highest levels will be crucial to the future of rural Ohioans. That’s why Ohio Farm Bureau’s Agriculture for Good Government PAC is proud to support Justices DeWine and Fischer in their re-election efforts and Justice Kennedy in her candidacy for Chief Justice. They have a strong record of ruling in support of private property rights and a rational regulatory environment, while maintaining a stable and predictable judicial system.

The process to support these justices does not come lightly. Ohio Farm Bureau’s AGGPAC looks at the cases that our organization has been involved with over the years as a way to measure the consistency and predictability of the Court and to see if those decisions align with Farm Bureau’s priorities.

While there may be times when Ohio Farm Bureau disagrees with the outcome the Court has reached, we also must consider how the Court came to the decision and the reasoning provided. Of course we desire certain outcomes, but we also desire sound reasoning and judicial decision-making which shows respect for the co-equal branches of government. These justices have demonstrated these skills time and again and have earned our support.
We all have some big decisions ahead of us in November, from who will lead our state to who will represent us and our interests in Columbus and Washington, D.C. The case can be made that equally as important this time around is who we choose to guide the law of the land on the Ohio Supreme Court.

I hope you will consider Justices DeWine, Fischer and Kennedy to maintain common sense and an added layer of certainty that is needed to secure a viable and successful precedent for our Farm Bureau members and all of rural Ohio.

New and beginning farmers
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Greg McGlinch's avatar
Greg McGlinch

Darke County Farm Bureau

Growing Tomorrow Grant
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
Nathan and Jill Parriman's avatar
Nathan and Jill Parriman

Clermont County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Youth pathways in Farm Bureau
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
Wyatt Morrow's avatar
Wyatt Morrow

Clinton County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Select Partner Program
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Advocacy
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

Suggested Tags: