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I was at a meeting the other day doing a post-event follow-up, discussing how impossible it is to make everyone happy, when one of the team asked me if I was okay, as I seemed a little more feisty than usual.

My husband would probably tell you feisty is part of who I am, but she was right. I was a little more feisty, but mainly because there was just a lot going on.

I found myself talking to her after the meeting, and I asked, “Why does everything have to be such a fight?”

Maybe you’ve felt the same way. From unpredictable weather and property tax debates to loss of farmland and energy debates, to shifting trade policies and global conflicts, the hits just keep coming for those of us in agriculture. It’s overwhelming, frustrating, and honestly — exhausting.

But in the middle of all that chaos, there’s also a spark. A fire. Because while these issues keep coming, so do we. And through all of it, Farm Bureau continues to show up and fight for Ohio’s farm families.

I often get asked “What does Farm Bureau actually do for me?” We fight — we fight tooth and nail for the issues that threaten our very existence, and lately it seems like that fight has turned into a full-on war.

When it comes to war, you win some battles and you lose some — and I think it’s easy to let one disagreement overshadow all of the great things that have happened — it’s human nature. But for now, we are going to focus on all the good.

Health care access for farmers is on its way to improving. Legislation creating Farm Bureau Health Plans passed the Ohio House with a resounding 90-3 vote on June 4. It’s now headed to the governor’s desk, and if he signs it, the law will take effect in 90 days — giving Ohio farm families access to more affordable health care options.

When a version of the Senate’s budget tried to eliminate sales tax exemptions for things like field tile and grain bins, our members spoke up — fast! Within 24 hours, more than 1,000 emails poured into legislators’ inboxes. That number climbed to more than 1,700.

Our voices were heard loud and clear, and the field tile and grain bin sales tax exemption were both reinstated to the Senate’s final version of the budget that will be reviewed in conference committee.

Farm Bureau recently testified in front of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee to advocate for restoring H2Ohio funding cut by the House, supporting $250 million for brownfield remediation, and pushing for other critical agriculture investments like Ohio State University Extension and Soil and Water. We’re there, making sure your priorities are part of the conversation.

Our Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Adam Sharp joined a delegation from the Vietnamese government and business community that visited Ohio to sign a series of trade agreements. In total, the Vietnamese delegation is expected to enter into agreements to purchase more than $2 billion in U.S. agricultural products. Trade is critical to our farmers.

Let’s talk about property taxes — none of us wants to pay them, but they currently generate around $22 billion annually in Ohio, far surpassing the state sales tax at $14 billion and the state income tax at $10 billion. That revenue funds schools, emergency services, OSU Extension and 4-H, Soil and Water Conservation Districts and local infrastructure — especially in rural areas.

So when proposals surface to reduce or eliminate property taxes, we need to ask: Where will that money come from instead? If it shifts to higher sales or income taxes, rural communities could be hit especially hard. Many of these counties simply don’t have the population, economic base or infrastructure to support higher consumer spending or attract new development.

We don’t know what the magic answer is, but what we can promise you is that we will ensure agriculture has a seat at the table to ensure solutions are realistic and don’t unintentionally put more strain on our rural and farming communities.

This is only a small summary of what we have been doing. But here’s the thing — we can’t do any of this without you.

When you reach out, share what you’re seeing, tell us what you’re hearing — it makes a difference. Your input helps shape the actions we take, the battles we choose and the wins we can claim. We need to hear from you. Whether it’s a concern, a frustration or just something that seems off — tell us. Because the only way we keep making change is if we keep listening, learning and leaning in together.

We know it’s a lot. We know it feels like everything is a fight. But it’s also a privilege to be able to do something about it. Farm Bureau is here for you — not just in theory, but in action.

Let’s keep showing up. Let’s keep speaking out. And most importantly — let’s keep standing together.

Submitted by Mandy Orahood, the organization director at Ohio Farm Bureau Federation for Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake and Trumbull counties.

OFBF Mission: Working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities.