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On March 5, 2026 the Marion County Farm Bureau Board of Trustees voted to release the following public statement and provide it as a written comment to ODOT (Ohio Department of Transportation) regarding the US 23/I-71 Connector Feasibility Study:

We support making improvements along existing right of ways to relieve congestion and improve traffic flow on Route 23 and preserve farmland. These improvements should also consider the needs of landowners and farmers when accessing their land, buildings or livestock with large equipment.

This feasibility study has raised the following concerns:

  • Destruction of Irreplaceable Prime Farmland: This land is not “unimproved.” It has been meticulously maintained for decades with drainage tiles and soil conservation practices. Once paved, this soil is gone forever. A farm has thousands of dollars invested in underground drainage tiles. A freeway will cut these lines, causing flooding issues for every neighboring farm for miles. How does ODOT plan to compensate for the permanent ecological and agricultural damage to the water table?
  • Economic Viability and Infrastructure Loss: Farms rely on specific acreage to support investments in grain bins, equipment and livestock. By seizing portions of this land, you are not just taking acreage; you are rendering entire remaining operations economically unfeasible.
  • Equipment Mobility and Safety: A limited-access freeway will sever the local roads used to move heavy machinery. Forcing tractors and combines onto longer, more dangerous detours is a safety risk for both farmers and the motoring public.
  • Marginal Benefits vs. Total Loss: ODOT’s own data suggests these routes may only save through-traffic four to 22 minutes. It is unconscionable to destroy a family’s legacy and a community’s tax base for such negligible travel time savings.
  • Viable Alternatives Exist: We urge ODOT to return to the 2022 “23 Connect” recommendations, which focused on improving the existing U.S. 23 corridor. Upgrading current infrastructure is a common-sense solution that addresses safety without destroying the agricultural heart of Marion county.

Take Action Now!

We are encouraging our members to submit public comments to ODOT through our Action Alert or on their website by April 14. Be sure to tell your story and how this project affects you. Submitting comments is the best way to achieve our desired outcome. ODOT’s study will be finalized Oct. 1 of this year, and there will be more opportunities to provide feedback as the study progresses. Ohio Farm Bureau also submitted comments.

Action Alert

New and beginning farmers
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.
Greg McGlinch's avatar
Greg McGlinch

Darke County Farm Bureau

Growing Tomorrow Grant
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.
Nathan and Jill Parriman's avatar
Nathan and Jill Parriman

Clermont County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Youth pathways in 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.
Wyatt Morrow's avatar
Wyatt Morrow

Clinton County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
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.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Select Partner Program
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.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Advocacy
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.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

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