farm technology

In July, Ashtabula County Farm Bureau was named a recipient of $23,200 in grants for a rural connectivity project through BroadbandOhio.

“Rural Connections is a project vision that the Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake and Trumbull County Farm Bureaus have to help bridge the rural divide caused by a few factors including lack of broadband access, lack of affordable options, and lack of digital skills in our community,” said Mandy Orahood, Ohio Farm Bureau organization director for Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake and Trumbull County Farm Bureaus. “As a grassroots organization that represents the state’s largest industry, and the backbone of America – agriculture, we have heard our members loud and clear from right here in our county to all over the United States. That is why broadband has been a priority issue of the Farm Bureau over the last few years.”

The Rural Connections project includes hiring a rural & ag technology consultant, creating an easy-to-use resource for the community to enhance digital skills, and planning and executing programming that addresses digital skills, improves online security, and introduces them to all of the resources available to improve their farms, lives and communities, Orahood said.

BroadbandOhio awarded a total of $654,590 through the state’s Digital Inclusion Pilot Project Grant to help nine community-based, nonprofit organizations address barriers in digital access. BroadbandOhio is a division of the Ohio Department of Development.

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

New and beginning farmers
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

Growing Tomorrow Grant
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
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

Youth pathways in Farm Bureau
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
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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