Thanks to the efforts of Ohio Farm Bureau, farmers’ voluntary actions to improve the state’s water quality will now be acknowledged in Ohio’s plan on how to reduce the amount of phosphorus going into Lake Erie.

The United States and Canada have set goals of reducing phosphorus loads into the western and central basins of Lake Erie. In the United States, domestic action plans are required for Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New York. Ohio’s draft plan, however, did not detail any of the efforts by Ohio Farm Bureau, Ohio’s agricultural industry or other non-state agencies. Projects such as OFBF’s multi-million dollar Water Quality Action Plan or Blanchard River Demonstration Farms Network were not included.

Ohio Farm Bureau noted the omission in comments submitted to Ohio EPA and representatives of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 5 during a discussion about Ohio’s efforts to improve water quality. The U.S. EPA officials asked OFBF for details about voluntary efforts by farmers and ag groups to include in Ohio’s action plan.

“This is a great way to recognize how Ohio’s ag community has been proactive in addressing water quality challenges,” said Larry Antosch, OFBF’s senior director of policy development and environmental policy.

Farm Bureau connections
To grow a network and gain perspective and knowledge in the industry through personal and professional development has been invaluable. Every day I learn and grow.
Ryanna Tietje's avatar
Ryanna Tietje

Henry County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau connections
Giving farmers a voice
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.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
10-year campaign for safer roads
Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman's avatar
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman

Henry County

10-year campaign for safer roads
Bringing the farm back to life
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
Farm Bureau involvement
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.
Hannah Kiser's avatar
Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau involvement
Select Partner Program
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.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
Advocacy
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.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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