Ohio Farm Bureau’s Issue Advisory Teams spent the day in Massillon June 14 engaging with peers on interests and issues pertaining to Farm Bureau policy during the 2018 Trends and Issues Conference.

Dr. Douglas Jackson-Smith from Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, kicked off the event at the R.G. Drage Career Technical Center in Stark County with an overview of the university’s work on water quality research.

Members then boarded buses and toured K.W. Zellers and Son produce farm, RJ Matthews (PBS Animal Health) and 3-D Meats, a meat processor and retail store, before spending the afternoon in policy discussion committee meetings upon returning to the career center.  

The teams are organized around the following topic areas:

  • Animal Agriculture
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Farm Policy, Business Development and Sustainability
  • Food Supply Chain and Specialty Crops
  • Transportation and Energy
  • Workforce Development and Education
  • Young Farmers

Advisory teams will continue to meet throughout the year on various policy issues. Team members review, research, discuss, draft and recommend new policies, programming and/or activities addressing their specific interest areas.

Team members will actively share their work with their county Farm Bureau president and board of trustees. Their input could be used by county Farm Bureaus to initiate programs at local, multicounty and state levels.

Online Extras

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
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
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
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
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
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
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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