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At the 105th American Farm Bureau Annual Convention earlier this month, Ohio Farm Bureau member-approved policies were shared with AFBF delegates for consideration.

Delegates to the business meeting voted to create new policy, introduced by Ohio Farm Bureau members, to address the growth of artificial intelligence in agriculture. AI has the potential to enhance farming practices and conserve resources, but privacy rights must be respected.

“It was recognized by AFBF delegates that we don’t have a lot of policy for this new technology that is starting to rapidly progress in our industry,” said Jack Irvin, vice president of public policy with Ohio Farm Bureau. “This new policy will help guide the organization as we look at legislation and issues that may come with artificial intelligence.”

The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or drones in agriculture is also ramping up. While other states had proposals, Ohio Farm Bureau members’ recommended policy on UAVs was selected given its thoughtfulness. This policy will be shared with the FAA to encourage an update to drone regulations needed for agricultural operators. The policy also encourages a streamlined process for all licenses and exemptions needed for agricultural operators using their drones to increase production and minimize requiring inputs for maximum efficiency through techniques such as crop imaging, scouting and application.

On the farmland preservation front, after tough discussions, delegates from the Buckeye State successfully had policy adopted when it comes to land use for renewable energy. Learning from challenges around development of new infrastructure and transmission lines, Ohio delegates requested that AFBF “review federal green energy policy, including commercial solar projects, as it relates to farmland impact and reliable power generation, supply and grid reliability.” The information gathered by the staff at American Farm Bureau will serve as a baseline to future discussions over green energy as well as solar energy.

Outside of Ohio Farm Bureau’s suggestions, delegates voted to stabilize wage rates for guest workers and revise H-2A and H-2B programs to better meet the needs of America’s farms; reaffirmed their support for increasing reference prices in the farm bill and maintaining a strong crop insurance program, including an expansion of eligibility to ensure more commodities are covered; called for changes to the contract poultry pay system to ensure long-term economic sustainability for farmers and to require more transparency from chicken companies; and added policy to recommend Congress investigate fertilizer supply chain outages and tariffs placed on imports.

Serving as Ohio delegates were (front row l to r): John Bolte, Chris Weaver, Cy Prettyman and Bill Patterson, with Bill Myers and Mike Videkovich serving as alternate voting delegates.