AgriPOWER Class XIV

AgriPOWER Class XIV had a whirlwind of a trip to Washington state, where we traveled over 600 miles in three days and saw a wide variety of agriculture across the state. Our trip included a visit to Taylor Shellfish Farms, Monson Fruit Company, Legacy Fruit Packers, J&K Dairy, Bonneville Lock and Dam, and Columbia Grain.

Throughout all visits there were three constant themes that are also relevant in Ohio agriculture: efficiency, scarce resources, and collaboration.

Efficiency was important for Taylor Shellfish Farms as they only have an hour to take oysters from the farm to ice. Additionally, efficiency and collaboration with health officials is used as every oyster has a lot number so that if there is a recall, they can quickly remove the product. Taylor Shellfish Farms can’t grow enough shellfish to meet consumer demands so they must work with scare resources – their employees, land, and shellfish. They are working on innovative technologies to improve employee safety, work hours, the quality of clam and oyster shell, and the taste of the shellfish.

 

Legacy Fruit Packers 2023 apple crop
Legacy Fruit Packers 2023 apple crop

Monson Fruit Company and Legacy Fruit Packers were extremely innovative to not only improve efficiency in their facilities, but also to provide the highest quality products to their customers. At Monson Fruit Company, 64 pictures of a single cherry are taken every second to sort cherries by size and ensure quality. Cherries start to decay as soon as they come off the tree, so it is extremely important that they use cold chain technology to stop the decay process. They use approximately 10,000 gallons of water every day in their facility but recycle it to be good stewards of their resources. At Legacy Fruit Packers, we were able to witness the packaging of their 2023 apple crop that was only 85% packed. Taylor Shellfish Farms, Monson Fruit Company, and Legacy Fruit Packers had similar scarce resources (water), difficulty finding a labor force, and were committed to providing a quality product.

Taylor Shellfish Farms
Taylor Shellfish Farms

At J&K Dairy, an operation with 3,700 milking cows (about 6,000 total head) and 2,100 irrigated acres (and additional unirrigated acres), there was a focus on collaboration for water usage. With only 6-8 inches of rain in Sunnyside, WA per year, they are limited with the amount of water they can take from the Roza Canal for their cattle and crops. Karen, co-owner, said, “Every ounce of water is accounted for out here.” Both Karen and her husband, Jason, are active in advocating for water usage rights. They discussed the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan (for water usage) and how they must work together with their neighbors, community organizations, tribes, and government officials to find a common ground. The water used on the dairy was recycled six times.

At the Bonneville Lock and Dam, we were able to see a recreational boat pass through the dam, fish ladders, and learn about what agricultural exports come through. The water from the dam also helps to irrigate 7.8 million acres.

At Columbia Grain in the Port of Portland, we were able to tour the facility that has a five million bushel storage capacity. The export terminal solely focuses on exporting agricultural goods, mainly wheat, and doesn’t buy or sell wheat. The wheat comes in on rail, then is unloaded into storage, then transferred to ocean-bound vessels, to be shipped to the rest of the world.

In Ohio, we must remain efficient to provide more food with less acres, just like Washington. To do this, we must collaborate, and work with our valuable resources.

I learned so much during this trip, so here are a couple of fun facts:
• The clams are harvested at low tide, which only lasts 6 hours.
• Cherries need mild winters and mild summers for their best crop.
• J&K Dairy uses photo ID to determine what cow is coming into the parlor.
• The Bonneville Dam has a 96% survival rate for their salmon fish ladders.
• Wheat is the most popular export going through the dam, followed by wood chips.

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
Suggested Tags: