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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UPDATE: On March 23, President Trump signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2018 (Omnibus Bill). Title XI of the legislation called the “Fair Agricultural Reporting Method Act” or “FARM Act” exempts the reporting of air emissions from animal waste at a farm under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.
The order to require reporting under CERCLA/EPCRA for livestock and poultry producers was delayed (or stayed) by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit several times before the budget bill was passed. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency continues to update rules for Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act reporting, which should eliminate reporting requirements for most farms who only have emissions as a result of routine agricultural practices.
“With the passage of the spending bill, Congress has clarified that CERCLA reporting was never intended to apply to the routine agricultural activities that occur on farms,” said Leah Curtis, OFBF policy counsel.
Visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s website for more details about the legislation and EPCRA rulemaking.
ORIGINAL POST NOVEMBER 2017:
Since 2008, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule has exempted all livestock farms from reporting hazardous substance air releases from animal waste under the CERCLA and also declared only large CAFOs were subject to Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) reporting. Because of a recent court ruling, that could soon change. A number of citizen groups challenged the validity of that rule in court and in April the court struck down the final rule, eliminating the reporting exemptions for farms.
EPA sought additional time from the court to help farmers understand their reporting obligations, but unless the court takes further action, the reporting requirements go into effect next week, on Nov. 15. What does that mean for Ohio livestock farmers? Farm Bureau Policy Counsel and Sr. Director of Member Engagement Leah Curtis covers all the details.
For more information and assistance in determining whether you need to report, visit the EPA’s guidance website covering air emissions reporting for livestock farms. The website provides background information on the reporting requirement and tools to help you determine if you may have a reportable release based on the size and type of your operation.
Listen to Legal with Leah, a podcast featuring Ohio Farm Bureau’s Policy Counsel Leah Curtis discussing topics impacting landowners.
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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