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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Introducing students to potential careers in agriculture is the goal of two major projects made possible by the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation’s Fisher Fund for Lifelong Learning. The goal is to introduce students to and prepare them for careers in agriculture, food and natural resources.
The Fisher Fund was created last year to honor John C. “Jack” Fisher, who retired after serving 20 years as Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s executive vice president. The fund’s goal is to support educational projects and programs that build a greater awareness of food production and knowledge of the interconnected food system.
The Fisher Fund’s signature project is the ExploreAg program, which will be launched this summer. Fifty high school freshmen and sophomores will be chosen through a competitive process to spend two weeks on a college campus for an introduction to agriculture as well as hands-on learning. Internationally known teachers, scientists and researchers will expose them to food science, precision agriculture, animal science, natural resources, management skills, technology and agricultural business. Along with classroom experience, the students will participate in field experiences that highlight cutting-edge research and will interact with industry partners to learn about possible careers in related fields.
The first year of the program will take place on Ohio State University’s main campus and at its Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster and is completely free for students. The foundation has committed $125,000 for the first two years of the program.
The second program, Youth Pathways to Careers in Agriculture, supports projects that introduce and train students for high-demand jobs in the food, agricultural or natural resources industries. The program is open to nonprofit organizations or those with a fiscal sponsor. The foundation is accepting applications for the program Jan. 1 to March 30. The foundation has committed $100,000 in funding in 2018.
“We believe Farm Bureau can serve as a significant catalyst to attract young people to careers in our industry. These projects will also result in county Farm Bureaus, agribusinesses, higher education and youth-serving education institutions to better share the story of modern agriculture. Working together we can inspire the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs to become problem solvers and leaders in agriculture,” said Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Adam Sharp, who announced these new programs during Farm Bureau’s 99th annual meeting in December.
To learn more about Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation programs, visit ofbf.org/foundation.
This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Joe Cornely, 614-246-8230.
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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