September/October 2025 Our Ohio
The theme of September/October Our Ohio magazine is Health & Safety.
Read More
Last November, I wrote about the many forms of risks farmers encounter.
Because 2024 brought severe drought conditions to much of the state, the stress from those extreme conditions was top of mind. This year it seemed like it wouldn’t stop raining.
Safety and risk in farming is never “solved,” so our work to help members prepare and navigate as much as possible is a longstanding goal. That makes this issue of Our Ohio seem like a sequel to last year. The good news is we have both new opportunities and results to report.
After last year’s historic drought, and with Farm Bureau’s backing, both the state of Ohio
and the federal government provided disaster relief funding.
Executive Vice President
Last year we featured the Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan and its impact on Courtney Spencer and her family when she was faced with a breast cancer diagnosis in 2022. Courtney is on the road to recovery, and that’s the best news of all. I am very happy to report that our ability to help even more members with health coverage is on the way. Legislation signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine was a huge step in creating Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans for individuals and families. This new law will allow Ohio Farm Bureau to offer members access to affordable, personalized health care plans, particularly those 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.
Nationwide’s work on ATV/UTV safety is a welcome campaign. Many of us appreciate how fun and valuable these vehicles can be, but they can be dangerous if certain precautions
aren’t taken.
Last September, you may have heard about the Comp Dairy fire in Ashtabula County. An electrical fire that started in the parlor caused the evacuation of 1,100 dairy cows and extensive damage to the farm. We have an update on the Comp family farm’s comeback after this very scary and difficult situation.
The Ohio Mental Health Alliance’s survey results were published last year showing top results for farm stressors. In this issue, take a look at the information that features FARM-TOK, a study focused on reducing loneliness within Ohio farming and rural communities. Sara Tallmadge, who won our Excellence in Agriculture award in 2024, is a clinical research coordinator at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Sara is working on this project. Because Farm Bureau members like Sara have a network far and wide, we can help with this important work.
As we enter harvest season, keep farm safety and overall health and wellness in mind. And know that your Farm Bureau team is working hard to have your back.
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
Across the Table: Keeping safety and wellness top of mind
As we enter harvest season, keep farm safety and overall health and wellness in mind. And know that your Farm Bureau team is working hard to have your back.
Read More
Don’t sidestep safety on the farm
Taking the time to evaluate your next move on the farm might just save your life.
Read More
One unguarded decision can have a generational impact
If you take anything away from this story, I hope it is this: Don’t ever think it can’t happen to you.
Read More
Ag safety zones at county fair are more than educational
The project was launched at the Montgomery County Fair in part to honor Levi Montoya who died in an ATV accident in 2014.
Read More
Ring on the River: Rallying around community health
Many county Farm Bureaus throughout the state show their support for local communities by hosting and sponsoring events that bring awareness to health-related issues.
Read More
Nationwide News: Preventing propane accidents on the farm
By understanding the dangers and taking these precautions, farmers can safely harness the power of propane.
Read More
Coming home to Ohio Farm Bureau
Maybe the most important part of my role is keeping in touch with members and the farming community so I can share your challenges, experiences, priority issues and perspectives.
Read More
Innovative technology improves ag safety
Ohio Farm Bureau’s Heritage Partner Nationwide teams up with leading agtech companies to offer innovative protection solutions that can help reduce losses and boost productivity.
Read More
Health care help is on the way
Farm Bureau Health Plans will give access to affordable, personalized health care plans for Ohio farm families.
Read More