OFBF policies adopted at AFBF convention
Ohio Farm Bureau brought forth 10 policies to be voted upon by delegates at the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Anaheim earlier this week, and all 10 were approved as national policy.
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The 2026 American Farm Bureau Convention took place Jan. 9-14 in Anaheim, California. Delegates helped set the policy agenda for the leading voice of agriculture in Washington, D.C., and Ohio Farm Bureau members shined a light on the outstanding leadership and community impact agriculture possesses in our state.
“Imagine, Grow, Lead” is the theme of 107th American Farm Bureau Convention, which offered attendees the chance to meet with fellow farmers, hear from experts and learn how new technology and trends can lead to a successful 2026.
Monday, Jan.12
Today was the last full day for the 2026 AFBF Convention. Ohio Farm Bureau members were able to kick-start the morning listening to the YF&R Discussion Meet Final 4, engaging in workshops and interacting with fellow farmers and agricultural leaders at the trade show. The Closing Session also took place this afternoon with remarks from USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and Tim Tebow.
Secretary Rollins spoke to the farm economy, input costs, trade relations, growth in biofuels, labor reform, and the administration’s ongoing goals for American agriculture.
As a well-decorated football legend and five-time New York Times best-selling author, Tebow shared a message on perseverance, passion and the convention’s theme of “Imagine, Grow, Lead.”
Tomorrow, Ohio Farm Bureau’s voting delegates will participate in AFBF’s Annual Meeting of Voting Delegates, where they will advocate for policies set forward at Ohio Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting last month and ensure that the perspective of Ohio farmers and rural communities are represented in all national policy.
Sunday, Jan. 11
Ohio started the day strong by being recognized as one of 34 states to qualify for the State Leader Award at the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s annual breakfast. The award is designated to recognize exemplary financial support of the foundation.
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American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall gave his keynote address at the Opening Session, sharing the successes of the organization in 2025, including provisions outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, short-term relief within the $12 Billion Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, and movement within organizational priorities of labor, trade, MAHA and rural mental health.
He spoke on the power of unity in agriculture, the need for imagination and that everyone has another step in leadership. Duvall also spoke to the emphasis of empowering young leaders.
“If we’re going to be ready for the challenges of tomorrow, we need the brightest minds and the hardest workers finding solutions today.”
Richland County Farm Bureau took to the Cultivation Center Stage during the afternoon for the Champions of Community: County Activities of Excellence Showcase. They spoke about their Cultivating Minds project and why other local Farm Bureau’s take on the event. Pictured is Brianna Smith, from Richland County Farm Bureau.
Kameron Rinehart, Ph. D., of Fayette County, competed in the Sweet 16 round of the Discussion Meet as he spoke to succession planning and how to transition the family business to the next generation.
The mid-afternoon sessions included the Shaping the Future Panel with U.S. Sen. John Boozman (R-Ariz.), chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.), chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture; U.S. Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), ranking member of the House Committee on Agriculture; and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. All four Congressional leaders sat down with President Duvall to talk about the momentum of a new, modernized farm bill, year-round E-15, trade and labor.
Monday’s line-up will include remarks from USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, a keynote from College Football Hall of Fame inductee and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, the YF&R Discussion Meet Final 4 and many other various agricultural workshops and events.
Rollins and Tebow will speak at the Closing General Session starting at 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time.
Saturday, Jan. 10
The first two rounds of the 2025 American Farm Bureau Discussion Meet included Ohio’s Dr. Kameron Rinehart of Fayette County. Rinehart and fellow competitors shared their thoughts and ideas about topics including:
- Digital Engagement with Policymakers: What strategies can connect Farm Bureau members with officials using digital tools?
- Balancing Environmental and Financial Sustainability: How can farmers advance environmental stewardship while balancing financial needs?
Rinehart is moving on to the Discussion Meet Sweet 16 Sunday afternoon.
Derek Snider from Hardin County shared his extensive work within the agriculture community in the American Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award, a competition that focuses on individuals or couples who do not have a majority of their gross income subject to normal production risk.
Snider is a fifth-generation farmer, senior account officer at AgCredit and deeply involved Farm Bureau member. He shared about his mission to empower the next generation, help farm businesses accomplish financial goals and his many attributes to Farm Bureau on the county and state level.
Sunday’s slate of activities includes two general sessions, 11 workshops, the live pitch competition for the final four Ag Innovation Challenge teams and the Sweet 16 round of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet. Also, Richland County Farm Bureau will be featured on Cultivation Center Stage for the Champions of Community: County Activities of Excellence Showcase to share about their Cultivating Minds Project.
AFBF President Zippy Duvall will deliver his annual remarks during the opening general session at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time, and the highly anticipated state award winners will be announced.
Friday, Jan. 9
Nearly 200 Ohio Farm Bureau members and staff are traveling to Anaheim, California, for the 107th American Farm Bureau Convention. Throughout the event, members will celebrate 2025 achievements and represent Ohio member interests as Farm Bureau sets policy priorities for the coming year.
Nine county Farm Bureaus representing eight programs (pictured below)received awards in American Farm Bureau’s County Activities of Excellence program and will host booths at the CAE Showcase on the trade show floor.
Will Minshall, Kameron Rinehart and Derek Snider will also compete for national recognition in the Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture contests, respectively.
AFBF President Zippy Duvall will give his annual remarks during the opening general session on Sunday, Jan.11. This year’s keynotes also include College Football Hall of Fame inductee, Tim Tebow and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins during the closing session on Monday, Jan.12.
In addition, during the mid-afternoon session on Sunday, Jan. 11, the chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), and Ranking Member Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) will be joined by the chair of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.), and Ranking Member Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) for a panel discussion on their vision for the future of American agriculture and their plans for 2026.
Throughout AFBF Convention, attendees are also offered workshops that bring opportunities to advance leadership skills, expand their business acumen, and gain deep insight into the trends and realities impacting food production. The Trade Show offers networking, featured products, and idea-sharing with other state and county Farm Bureaus.
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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