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.
Read More
In Ohio, foreign investors own about half a million acres of farmland — with Germany and the Netherlands leading in most land bought. China is another significant investor. Ohio Farm Bureau members have become increasingly concerned about foreign ownership in recent years, as any threat to Ohio farmland is one they take very seriously.
At the federal level, bipartisan legislation was introduced to address this issue through the AFIDA Improvements Act of 2024 (S. 3666). In Ohio, House Bill 1 aims to strengthen current laws on reporting foreign ownership by expanding data collection and enhancing enforcement against suspected non-filers. Without real-time data, it is impossible to understand the true threat to Ohio and American agriculture posed by foreign adversaries.
“Land owned by foreign adversaries is only the latest threat to protecting farmland, not just in Ohio but across the country,” said Ohio Farm Bureau Director of State Policy Evan Callicoat in testimony supporting HB 1 earlier this week before the Ohio House Public Safety Committee.
According to the most recent Census of Agriculture, published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ohio has lost nearly 300,000 acres of farmland in the last five years. In most if not all cases, that land will never be able to be productive farmland again, which is a unique issue the agriculture industry faces compared to others.
“As Ohio continues to face economic, housing, and energy development pressures, our organization hopes to engage with all sectors for effective land use management,” Callicoat told the committee. “As the General Assembly reviews the operating budget, we urge consideration of options that enhance rural community planning, such as support for local land use planning and empowering communities to shape their own economic futures.
“We are thankful to the sponsors and the General Assembly’s interest in this issue,” Callicoat continued. “Still, land held by foreign adversaries is only one of many factors contributing to farmland loss, and we encourage the General Assembly to look at this issue holistically and help Ohio’s number one industry continue to flourish.”
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.
Featured Articles
The Ohio Agriculture and Rural Communities 2026 Action Plan
The plan provides a blueprint for policymakers and Ohio Farm Bureau members to bolster Ohio’s agriculture industry and our rural communities.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau works to strengthen laws on foreign ownership of farmland
Ohio Farm Bureau members have become increasingly concerned about foreign ownership in recent years, as any threat to Ohio farmland is one they take very seriously.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau county presidents travel to Washington, D.C. for annual advocacy trip
Over three days, participants heard from experts and, in turn, voiced their thoughts on topics as far reaching as the farm bill to trade to taxes.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast: 2025 Priority Issues and Possible Tax Changes
Learn about this year’s priority issues and get an update from Nationwide about the possible sunsetting on important tax laws that could directly impact Ohio’s farm families.
Read More
2025 priorities discussed at Farm Bureau’s Ag Day at the Capital
A large contingency of Ohio Farm Bureau members made their way to the Statehouse Feb. 19 to meet one-on-one with their state senators and representatives.
Read More
The Ohio Agriculture and Rural Communities 2025 Action Plan
The plan provides a blueprint for policymakers and Ohio Farm Bureau members to bolster Ohio’s agriculture industry and our rural communities.
Read More
Broadband program signed into law
The bill allocates $20 million this year for broadband and establishes the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Program.
Read More
‘Y Prize’ created to shed light on farmer mental health
The Y Prize award winner, and the program or work he or she represents, will be given a platform to share their work and efforts. Nominations are due by July 23, 2021.
Read More
Our Ohio Weekly: The Ohio Agriculture and Rural Communities Action Plan
From the food supply chain to rural broadband, regulatory reform to energy solutions, there is a lot on the plate…
Read More