Protecting Ohio agriculture is deeply woven into the fabric of what Ohio Farm Bureau does day in and day out.
Although we are best known for our work in keeping regulators at bay and helping legislators create policy to strengthen the farming community, we also guard our members from possible harm from litigators looking to have their way through the court system.
I may be a bit biased, but Ohio Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau are flush with some of the best farm law experts, working tirelessly to review court cases that directly impact our members. While Farm Bureau cannot be involved in every case that involves a member, our team frequently consults with members’ attorneys to help provide additional research or context that may be helpful as they represent their clients.
One prime example of our success in the courts was when Toledo’s Lake Erie Bill of Rights ballot initiative was ruled invalid following a lawsuit filed by Ohio Farm Bureau member and Wood County farmer Mark Drewes. The legal victory thwarted the attempt to give legal rights to Lake Erie and give Toledoans authority to sue farmers on behalf of the lake. Throughout the process, OFBF’s legal staff lent agricultural expertise to Drewes’ lawyers and provided supporting information about agriculture’s efforts to protect water quality.
The success of our work on the legal front can even be traced, multiple times, all the way to the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court. In fact, in 2019 Ohio Farm Bureau was part of a SCOTUS case which overturned a long-standing precedent that prevented takings claims from going to federal court. Just last year, Ohio Farm Bureau filed a brief with the highest court in the land, asking the justices to take on a case to give Ohio landowners better options to protect their rights in court.
In addition to providing direct support to members, our legal staff speaks at local Farm Bureau events about the prevalent legal topics impacting the local community. They also review, update and develop Ohio Farm Bureau’s informational resources to ensure they are meeting the evolving needs of our members to help keep them up-to-date with current laws.
It is evident that attacks on agriculture are constantly coming from various angles. As you will learn throughout this issue of Our Ohio, it is easy to make the case that Farm Bureau’s efforts keep our members protected and educated when it comes to ag and the law.
• Providing liability protection for agritourism operations
• Helping members navigate trucking and hauling regulations
• Creating better leases for farmers and landowners
• Protecting landowners from being sued by Lake Erie
• Standing up for landowners when the government takes property but doesn’t follow the law and provide compensation
Over the past 15 years, OFBF has been involved in over 60 civil cases in state and federal courts, as well as over 100 administrative cases before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Ohio Power Siting Board.
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Overall, proper care, maintenance and communication are all essential parts of the process when it comes to trees.
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It is essential that members with an agritourism operation post a liability sign on their property. Contact the county Farm Bureau office about acquiring that sign.
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It is evident that attacks on agriculture are constantly coming from various angles: Ohio Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau are flush with some of the best farm law experts.
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Eight-two of Ohio’s 88 counties are underserved by legal representation. The Ohio Rural Practice Initiative is a several-pronged approach to raise awareness of the issue.
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To be eligible for the $500 grant, an applicant must be a Darke County resident and Farm Bureau member, 18 to 25 years of age.
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Farm Bureau members have numerous resources at their fingertips for the latest information on a host of laws and regulations directly impacting all of agriculture.
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Farm Bureau staff and members testified on behalf of an annexation bill that aims to preserve farmland in the state by having a more transparent annexation process.
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Ohio Farm Bureau has information on programs and tips on how to start the farm succession conversation, as do several of the organization’s partners.
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Before deciding whether to organize your farm or business as an LLC, talk to an attorney, accountant or other trusted financial adviser who can help you determine if it’s the right move.
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