Ohio rural broadband access

Farmers and those within the agricultural industry have unique technological needs but continue to lack consistent broadband access. The state is calling for ideas as it creates a five-year plan to steer future broadband expansion efforts, and Ohio Farm Bureau would like to make sure members have a seat at the table.

The Ohio Department of Development is soliciting public comments and launching a multistop listening tour to gather input as it seeks federal dollars for expansion efforts through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The state is planning to funnel those dollars through the Residential Broadband Expansion Program, which was initially fueled with a $20 million infusion in 2021 and landed another $230 million in the last budget. This led to an initial round of substantial private investments and an impact to 52,000 households in 31 counties. 

Ohio Farm Bureau is encouraging members to share how that investment has impacted their homes and businesses, and where more work can be done to advance access to rural broadband.

Please consider attending one of the following listening tour stops and engaging with Ohio Department of Development representatives.

March 21

University of Rio Grande, Bob Evans Farms Hall

65 Bevo Francis Way, Rio Grande, Ohio 45674

2:30 p.m. – Nonprofits and Community Organizations; 4 p.m. – Ohio Residents

March 23

Guernsey County District Public Library – Crossroads Branch

63500 Byesville Rd., Cambridge, Ohio 43725

1:15 p.m. – Nonprofits and Community Organizations

March 23

Cambridge Performing Arts Center

642 Wheeling Ave., Cambridge, Ohio 43725

4 p.m. – Ohio Residents

March 28

Webinar for Ohio Residents

4-5 p.m.

Attend the webinar

March 30

Xenia Community Library

76 E. Market St., Xenia, Ohio 45385

2:30 p.m. – Nonprofits and Community Organizations; 4 p.m. – Ohio Residents

April 4

Toledo Lucas County Library – Main Meeting Room

325 N. Michigan St., Toledo, Ohio 43604

2:30 p.m. – Nonprofits and Community Organizations; 4 p.m. – Ohio Residents

April 5

Webinar for Nonprofits and Community Organizations

2-3 p.m.

Attend the webinar

April 6

Findlay-Hancock County Public Library

206 Broadway St., Findlay, Ohio 45840

4 p.m. – Nonprofits and Community Organizations; 5:30 p.m. – Ohio Residents

April 12

Webinar for Ohio Residents

4-5 p.m.

Attend the webinar

April 13

The Midtown Tech Hive

6815 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44103

2:30 p.m. – Nonprofits and Community Organizations; 4 p.m. – Ohio Residents

April 20

Eastgate Regional Council of Governments

100 E. Federal St. #1000, Youngstown, Ohio 44503

2:30 p.m. – Nonprofits and Community Organizations; 4 p.m. – Ohio Residents

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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