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Fall harvest, county fairs, local festivals, football rivalries and getting ready for the holiday season – There’s plenty to talk about this time of year. If you want to “change the subject,” here’s a couple of discussion topics that could help you generate policy suggestions and local programming for the county Farm Bureau.

Trespassing – Landowner Issues and Concerns

Ohio law defines a trespasser as a person who enters someone’s property without being authorized or invited. Trespassing incidents can be either minor or menacing. Even when the situation looks sinister, so long as the person is not attempting to commit any offense outside of their trespass, immediate removal options could be limited. While many public and law enforcement officials err on the side of seeing most initial incidents as accidental or minor, how can a landowner or tenant address repeated infractions? How can you prevent others from accessing the property?

Additional discussion resources:

• OFBF Website – What You Need to Know About Landowner Liability, Trespassing Laws: Discover what landowners need to know about Ohio’s trespassing laws with Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis.
• OSUE/Farm Office Website – New Law Bulletin on Harm to Farm Property: Farms can be the target of intentional property harm. The law bulletin reviews the Ohio criminal and civil laws that provide recourse for such harm. Also, the publication discusses how to deal with harm if it does occur, and strategies for minimizing the risk of intentional harm to farm property.
• Ohio Farmer Website: Know Your Rights When it Comes to Trespassers: Written by Robert Moore, legal counsel with Wright & Moore Law Company, LPA of Delaware, Ohio, the article explores key points helping landowners identify the differences between civil and criminal trespass.

Discussion guide

Farm Bill Issues Taking Shape

The path to shaping the 2023 Farm Bill is already underway in Washington. In the lead up to the Farm Bill reauthorization process, the House and Senate are holding multiple committee (and occasionally subcommittee) hearings which provide a forum for witnesses of various backgrounds – including government officials, interest groups, academics, and farmers – to present testimony with the hope of informing legislators’ decision-making.

Additional discussion resources:

• AFBF Website – Looking at the Farm Bill: The farm bill is a critical tool for ensuring our nation’s food supply remains secure. Funding for this comprehensive package, which could more accurately be called a food and farm bill, includes risk management tools for farmers, access to nutrition for low-income families, conservation programs and investments in agricultural research. Find out more about American Farm Bureau’s monitoring of Farm Bill discussions.
• Brownfield Ag News Website – Farmer Discusses Importance of Crop Insurance in the ’23 Farm Bill: Ohio Farm Bureau members held face-to-face meetings with legislators in Washington as part of OFBF’s County Presidents Trip to Washington and the Leadership Experience Program.
• Northwest Signal, Napoleon, Ohio Newspaper Website – Preparations Underway to Frame 2023 Farm Bill. Senate Ag Committee member, Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) discusses Farm Bill roundtables being held in the state. OFBF President Bill Patterson is quoted in the article
• USDA – Economic Research Service (ERS) Website: Historical Overviews and Analysis of Previous Farm Bills: Many Ag community stakeholders see federal policy changing in five-year intervals; that’s how often Congress is tasked with passing a farm bill that touches almost every aspect of agriculture and nutrition policy. Explore the trends, issues and structure of farm bills since the 1970s.

Discussion guide

Remember, you are not limited to these materials – Feel free to discuss additional topics and issues generated from the local newspaper, other publications and/or key events happening in your neighborhood.

Keep in touch with Farm Bureau

Community Councils archives, essential forms

Remember, participants are not limited to these discussion topics and materials – Feel free to discuss additional topics and issues generated from the local newspaper, other publications and/or key events happening in your neighborhood.

Need some additional help? Contact your county Farm Bureau office for assistance.

Councils can access the council roster, meeting summary sheet and activity sheet forms online.

Remember to send council meeting forms and correspondence directly to the county Farm Bureau.

Many of Farm Bureau’s action plans started with conversation around a kitchen table, living room or front porch; lively discussion continues to develop using web applications, too.

To join a community council, contact the county Farm Bureau office.