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.
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Roy D. Norman is senior organization director for Defiance, Fulton, Henry and Williams counties. In this role, he is a liaison between the the county Farm Bureaus and Ohio Farm Bureau. He assists county groups as they develop and implement programs to strengthen their organizations, serve members and affect positive change in their communities.
He is an Ohio State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences and ag economics.
What is something you can point to that has been accomplished thanks to the joint efforts of farmers and community members in your area?
Our support of the Kansas Wildfire Relief Fund. With the help of members Nate Like, Jamie Friedel, David Traxler and many others, more than 30 semis headed to Kansas in a truck convoy to support the farmers and ranchers suffering from the wildfires this spring. Fencing supplies, hay, milk replacer, clothing, money and other donations were given to the cause by area members and local businesses eager to help those in need.
What is your favorite Farm Bureau member benefit?
Our Sauder Village buy one admission, get a second admission free (offered to all members for some special events and year-round for Fulton County members)
Tell us about one big project one of your counties has planned or has recently conducted.
One of the most satisfying events has been our 2015 Breakfast on the Farm event which attracted over 3,000 guests. The event was a huge success built on the combined efforts of Farm Bureau, SWCD, and OSU Extension with the support of the Brehm Family and hundreds of volunteers. Also, our Farmers Feed Our Needs project stands out in my mind. Fulton County carrot farmer Tom O’Neill donated about 180,000 pounds of carrots, which needed to be harvested, washed, bagged and delivered to Ohio food banks. With help of many volunteers, FFA members, the Tim Dennis family, and the Bernath family, the project was a success and was talked about by Ohio food bank employees for months. Both of these events were recognized as County Activities of Excellence by the American Farm Bureau Federation.
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.
The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
We really appreciate what Farm Bureau has done to get people interested in this line of work and workforce development and getting people interested in this industry.
We work terrifically with the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, hosting at least one to two outreach town hall events every year to educate new farmers and existing farmers on traditional CAUV and woodlands.
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
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.
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Health Benefits Plan crucial during cancer journey
If 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!
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Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Growing Tomorrow Grant supported through partnership with Farm Credit Mid-America
Farm Credit Mid-America has committed $250,000 over the next five years to support the grant and help it achieve its vision.
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Fourteen graduate from Ohio Farm Bureau’s AgriPOWER program
Fourteen farmers and agribusiness professionals from around Ohio recently graduated from Ohio Farm Bureau’s AgriPOWER Institute Class XIV.
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Ohio agriculture coalition defends farmers in TMDL lawsuit
With 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.
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Rhodes named operations coordinator with Ohio Farm Bureau
Shelby Rhodes of Augusta has been named operations coordinator for Ohio Farm Bureau.
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YAP and AgriPOWER 2024 Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
Ohio 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.
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Ohio Farm Bureau names 2024 policy development committee
The 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.
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Nationwide News: Digesters transform waste into sustainable on-farm energy
If you’re interested in exploring manure digesters for your farm, talk to an Ohio State University Extension specialist familiar with the systems.
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Feeding your need for new ideas at Farm Science Review
Ohio Farm Bureau is featuring innovative agricultural technology solutions and cutting-edge research at this year’s Farm Science Review Sept. 17-19.
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