Farmer’s Guide to Trucking Regulations available to Ohio Farm Bureau members
The guide includes a farm driver checklist, overview of state and federal regulations and exemptions, CDL qualifications and more.
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Mercer County Farm Bureau Spotlight Member is board member Mark Houts. Mark and his wife, Michelle, have a grain and livestock farm near Rockford, Ohio.
Farming is the family business and after graduation from The Ohio State Universiy where he studied agricultural economics, Mark returned to the family farm and worked alongside his father as a part of the Houts Partnership. That partnership has now grown to include his son Seth who joined him after Mark’s father retired.
Mark became involved with the Mercer County Farm Bureau when he was placed on a committee several years ago. His parents had been involved with Farm Bureau and he felt like it was important to be involved. “There aren’t too many organizations that represent farmers that are involved with livestock and grain farming. It is a good resource for people with questions and concerns about different topics.”
As agriculture moves forward, Mark believes that trying to educate the public about what producers do will be paramount to our success. “We need to try and help the public understand what farmers are doing, and the reasons behind them. Because with misunderstanding, there is only an ever-growing divide about where our food comes from.” Bridging this gap is a cause that his family takes very seriously. Michelle, Mark’s wife, is a writer of both children and adult literature and for many years worked as both a writer and teacher, then took the plunge this year and is writing full time.
Her first children’s book published several years ago was called the “Beef Princess of Practical County,” a novel about her daughters showing and raising their steers for 4-H. The book went on to be a great tool for the Farm Bureau Agriculture Literature projects that tells the accurate story of raising animals and living on a farm today. Since that first book, Michelle has published several other books for both children and adults.
As the Houts look into agriculture’s future, they see the industry becoming more and more influenced by technology and data. They also offer advice to younger farmers: “Buy land when you have the chance. You can always buy a new truck or piece of equipment, but when an opportunity for a piece of land comes up, you may not have that chance to buy it again.”
The Houts enjoy farming because, in their opinion, “It is the most rewarding job. Farming is a fun way to make a living. It’s an awesome lifestyle and a great way to raise a family.”
The guide includes a farm driver checklist, overview of state and federal regulations and exemptions, CDL qualifications and more.
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Ohio Farm Bureau provides opportunities, platforms and resources to help you develop your voice in the industry and give farmers a seat at the table with leaders and legislators.
Read MoreThe emergency fuel waiver to allow the sale of summer gasoline blends containing 15% ethanol will lengthen the period during which Americans can continue buying E15 from June 1 to Sept. 15.
Read MoreThe Small-Scale Food Business Guide covers federal and state regulations for selling food products such as raw meat, dairy, eggs, baked goods, cottage foods, fruits and vegetables, honey and more.
Read MoreNew resources and technology are broadening the different types of sales tools and strategies available to farmers.
Read MoreODA will enroll 500,000 acres into the program for a two-week sign-up period, beginning April 22, 2024, through May 6, 2024. Contact local SWCD offices to apply.
Read MoreKatie Share of Columbus has been named ExploreAg and Youth Development Specialist for Ohio Farm Bureau.
Read MoreMary Klopfenstein of Delphos has been named Young Ag Professional and Ag Literacy Program Specialist for Ohio Farm Bureau.
Read MoreThe plan has been updated to give sole proprietors access to more rate stability and a smart solution that offers potential savings on health care.
Read MoreThe American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online by June 15 for the 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge.
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