2026 priorities discussed at Ohio Farm Bureau’s Ag Day at the Capital
Ohio Farm Bureau members met one-on-one with state legislators and staff to discuss policy priorities impacting Ohio’s farms and rural communities.
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A large contingent of Ohio Farm Bureau members made their way to the Statehouse in Columbus Feb. 19 for Ohio Farm Bureau’s annual Ag Day at the Capital to meet one-on-one with their state senators and representatives. During the event, Ohio Farm Bureau’s priority issues were unveiled, including building healthy rural communities by increasing affordable health care options for members through Farm Bureau Health Plans, promoting a strong business climate by preserving beneficial tax structures, creating a responsible regulatory environment, promoting an efficient state budget and encouraging policies that simultaneously allow for economic development and smart growth while preserving Ohio’s farmland, along with a host of other community issues.
“The priority issues laid out in the 2025 Ohio Agriculture and Rural Communities Action Plan provides a blueprint for policymakers and Ohio Farm Bureau members to bolster Ohio’s agriculture industry and our rural communities,” said Jack Irvin, vice president of public policy with Ohio Farm Bureau. “Being able to convey these important messages directly with lawmakers is something that our members don’t take for granted, and to be able to give them access to do that is a prime example of what this organization is all about.”
Participants learned about SB 100 and HB 99, new legislation introduced recently that would establish Farm Bureau Health Plans, resulting in access to affordable, personalized health care plans for Ohio farm families who do not have access to health insurance as an employee benefit or who are uninsured or underinsured due to high costs and limited options in the marketplace.
Attendees also took part in a Leadership Panel with members of the 136th General Assembly discussing the future of important agriculture policies currently being considered in Columbus, including property taxes, environmental stewardship, education and workforce development and rural health care, among other topics.
In addition to lawmakers, attendees also heard from Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge, Ohio Farm Bureau President Bill Patterson and the organization’s Executive Vice President Adam Sharp, between meetings with legislators at the Statehouse.
Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working together for Ohio Farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities. Learn more at ohiofarmbureau.org.
This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Ty Higgins, 614-246-8231 or [email protected].
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.
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.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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