Applications for Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans now available
Members have three ways to apply: contacting a certified agent, calling 833-468-4280 or visiting ohiofarmbureauhealthplans.org.
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Our Ohio Weekly recently visited with American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall to talk about the impact the coronavirus has had on the agriculture industry and AFBF’s response to it.
The interview started off on a personal note as Duvall spoke about his own battle with COVID-19. He caught it from his son, who unknowingly brought it home with him during a Fourth of July visit.
“I was doing all the right things,” Duvall said, which included working from home and wearing a mask when he was out in public running to the grocery or hardware store.
“You don’t think about your family, though, and who they may have been exposed to,” he said.
He was very ill for two weeks, noting that the virus is not like the flu.
“I’ve had the flu, but it was nothing like this,” he said. Headaches, body aches and three separate temperature spikes over a two-week period resulted in a 20-pound weight loss and a drop in energy which he said was starting to come back as his appetite returned in August.
Duvall cautioned everyone to wear a mask and follow the social distance and hygiene measures encouraged by doctors and lawmakers across the country.
Duvall talked about AFBF’s rapid response to the needs of members in the early days of the crisis, including working hard to ensure H2-A workers could make it into the country for the 2020 crop season. AFBF also checked in with the needs of Farm Bureau states through constant communication, as well as lobbying efforts for farmer access to the Paycheck Protection Program as well as the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Lobbying continues for the CFAP program as new commodities are added routinely. A second round of CFAP funds was announced in September.
Through it all, and despite some bumps in the road, Duvall lauded farmers across the country for their resilience in the face of not only the virus, but volatile markets and at times adverse public opinion, calling their efforts to safely keep the food supply chain working “heroic.”
About Our Ohio Weekly
Our Ohio Weekly shares the story of Ohio agriculture and Ohio Farm Bureau. Each week, this radio program and podcast features guests who represent leaders in agriculture, government, academia and the food industry, among others. Host Ty Higgins talks to interesting guests and brings the story of Ohio agriculture to life by featuring Farm Bureau members and staff who are working hard all across Ohio.
Our Ohio Weekly can be heard on 21 radio stations throughout Ohio, including 610 WTVN-AM in Columbus, as well as on many major podcast platforms like iHeart Radio.
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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