Weaver harvest

Editor’s note: To help support the work counties in the northwest region are doing to grow membership, trustees from the state Farm Bureau board have launched a Farm Bureau Membership Monday email. Each issue shows appreciation to volunteers, helps members get to know their trustees and provides tips or encouragement to keep working toward county goals.

Farm Bureau membership requestI’m Chris Weaver, dairy farmer and District 1 Trustee representing Defiance, Fulton, Henry and Williams counties. I have been a trustee for 10 years, a member of the Ohio Farm Bureau for over 25 years, and I am honored to serve you as the treasurer of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.

The Ohio Farm Bureau advocates every year for my farm and my business.  I know that OFBF continues to fight to keep my CAUV taxes lower, minimize regulations and defend agriculture.

Chris Weaver familyWhen my family made the commitment to build a dairy in NW Ohio, we were putting all of our chips on the table. The Ohio EPA threatened to stop us, and I vividly remember a meeting with the Ohio EPA and Ohio Farm Bureau. That meeting paved the way to removing environmental control for agriculture from the EPA, and allowing ODA to put a common sense approach to farms and the environment. Without Ohio Farm Bureau’s involvement and engagement in environmental issues, I believe Ohio agriculture would be under the direct eye of the Ohio EPA.

When I interact with a business that serves farmers, I encourage the salesperson and the business owner to join the Ohio Farm Bureau. I admit I have been disappointed by some who have not joined despite my passion, but I will keep pressing on. I know Ohio agriculture needs the Ohio Farm Bureau.

We need you to keep advocating for others to become members of the Ohio Farm Bureau, so we can continue to work together for Ohio farmers to build a strong food and farm community.

Thank you,

Chris Weaver

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

Giving farmers a voice
The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
Kevin Holy's avatar
Kevin Holy

Geauga County Farm Bureau

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
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

Bringing the farm back to life
We really appreciate what Farm Bureau has done to get people interested in this line of work and workforce development and getting people interested in this industry.
Jody Brown Boyd's avatar
Jody Brown Boyd

Brown's Family Farm Market

Finding farm labor
We work terrifically with the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, hosting at least one to two outreach town hall events every year to educate new farmers and existing farmers on traditional CAUV and woodlands.
David Thomas's avatar
David Thomas

Ashtabula County Auditor

CAUV: Past, present and future
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
Hannah Kiser's avatar
Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau involvement
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

Select Partner Program
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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