Article

Ohio Farm Bureau’s farmer leaders and select Farm Bureau staff were in the nation’s capital March. 7-9, 2023 for the annual County President’s Trip to Washington, D.C. Joe Glassmeyer III, Evan Davis, Keith Holbrook, and Chris Rogers attended on behalf of the Adams, Brown, Clermont, and Highland County Farm Bureaus.

Over three days, they heard from experts and, in turn, voiced their thoughts on topics as far reaching as the farm bill to trade to infrastructure. This is an opportunity for members to help legislators make the connection between what is happening on Ohio farms and what is being debated in the halls of Congress and within federal agencies.

The 2023 Ohio Farm Bureau County Presidents Trip kicked off Tuesday in Washington, D.C. The jam-packed day included a trip to Capitol Hill to hear from congressional staff representing the highest ranking members of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees. They discussed the now $1.5 trillion farm bill legislation in the works and the common goal to get it completed by the end of the year. 

One of the many highlights of the 2023 County Presidents Trip is getting to hear from both U.S. senators. Wednesday began with remarks from Sen. Sherrod Brown, who joined Ohio Farm Bureau members over breakfast. Senator Brown talked about the farm bill and agriculture’s role in rural Ohio and the state’s economy. After breakfast, participants made their way to Capitol Hill to visit with their representatives and then enjoyed the Farm Forum.

The final day of the 2023 County Presidents Trip began with breakfast with Sen. J.D. Vance. Vance acknowledged how Ohio Farm Bureau members take pride in the values that they have for families, a strong economy and what they do for a living. Vance took a number of questions from county Farm Bureau leaders and shared his thoughts on the upcoming farm bill, farmland preservation and water quality in the Great Lakes region.