Ohio Farm Bureau introduces Energy and Utility Issues Resource Guide
Ohio Farm Bureau’s newest resource for members seeks to help farmland owners navigate the many questions surrounding energy development.
Read MoreIn a recent outreach effort to the DeWine administration, Farm Bureau applauded the decisions the governor has made to make public health the focal point of the state’s response, undoubtedly saving countless lives. As plans are made for the next phase in the fight against the coronavirus, Farm Bureau asked that a balance is struck between protecting public health and the well-being of Ohio’s economy.
From the economy to education to health, Ohioans have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in numerous ways. As plans are being developed to reopen the state, Ohio Farm Bureau has reached out to the DeWine administration to ask the governor to begin to reopen Ohio for business on May 1 and to emphasize specific segments of society that may require additional stimulus and assistance to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Farm Bureau’s thoughts in regard to the task of reopening Ohio are based on lessons learned from the Great Recession. Rural communities are at a disadvantage during any economic upheaval, due to their smaller tax base, lack of internet connectivity and lower access to credit and capital. In addition, a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture study comparing urban and rural areas from 2010-2018 found that isolated rural areas have steeper population loss and the highest poverty rates. The study also showed labor participation was slower to return to rural areas during the most recent economic slump, and even 2019 employment levels in nonmetro areas stayed below pre-2008 levels.
These facts are exacerbated by the impacts of recent trade disruption on rural economies that are largely supported by agricultural and manufacturing industries. That’s why Ohio Farm Bureau is stressing the importance that all plans to move forward from this disruption keep an eye to ensuring a full recovery for rural communities.
Ohio Farm Bureau asked that the governor’s guidance for reopening include practices that can be identified in a Plan for Compliance so that businesses will have a clear understanding of social distancing, sanitation and safety measures that will keep both their employees and customers safe. In addition, the organization asked the administration to consider alternative options to control the spread of the coronavirus for businesses that simply cannot operate at a social distance. Many farm functions and processing functions involve heavy physical labor and many times take more than one individual to complete the task. Allowing alternatives to social distancing would allow those businesses to continue their essential work.
In Farm Bureau’s outreach to the administration, the organization noted that the economic consequences from this crisis will have serious ramifications not only for the economy, but the population’s health as well. Using studies of past crises for insight, there is a fear of an uptick in drug abuse and overdoses, domestic violence, and suicides. Research suggests that rural economies suffer more and recover slower from these economic disruptions.
Ohio Farm Bureau’s newest resource for members seeks to help farmland owners navigate the many questions surrounding energy development.
Read MoreLeah Curtis of Canal Winchester has been named associate general counsel for Ohio Farm Bureau.
Read MoreA year after a new “value first” pilot project was launched in 12 northwest Ohio county Farm Bureaus to test…
Read MoreIf you haven’t already, it’s time to join the growing list of members who wish they would have switched to the Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan sooner!
Read MoreFarm Credit Mid-America has committed $250,000 over the next five years to support the grant and help it achieve its vision.
Read MoreFourteen farmers and agribusiness professionals from around Ohio recently graduated from Ohio Farm Bureau’s AgriPOWER Institute Class XIV.
Read MoreWith this action, the agricultural organizations are rising to the defense of Ohio farmers, who have long been a legal target of the ELPC, an anti-agriculture activist group.
Read MoreShelby Rhodes of Augusta has been named operations coordinator for Ohio Farm Bureau.
Read MoreOhio Farm Bureau Young Ag Professionals and AgriPOWER Class XIV embraced the fast-paced culture of our nation’s capital for an extensive leadership experience Sept. 10-12.
Read MoreThe committee collects and organizes public policy recommendations from county Farm Bureaus and presents the final policy suggestions to be voted on by delegates during the state annual meeting.
Read More