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Founded in 1919, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation's mission is working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen communities. Learn more: ofbf.org
Plans for data centers continue to pop up around Ohio, and so do the questions that come with them. Leah Curtis, associate general counsel for Ohio Farm Bureau, joins this Legal with Leah to talk about what these centers mean for local communities and how to stay engaged in the development process.
Four property tax reform bills were signed into Ohio law at the end of 2025. On this Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau Associate General Counsel Leah Curtis breaks down the bills and what the changes mean for Ohioans.
House Bill 10 introduced important reform to pesticide application rules in Ohio. On this Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau Associate Genera Counsel Leah Curtis explains why the changes matter for farm families.
In recent years, there has been a new addition to our airspace. And while some may assume it's a bird or a plane, it may actually be a drone flying overhead. These unmanned aerial vehicles and systems can be a great instrument but can also create a nuisance. Leah Curtis, Associate General Counsel for the Ohio Farm Bureau gives an update on the latest policies surrounding drones.
The CAUV or Current Agricultural Use Value program, where farmland is taxed at a rate that reflects its value for agricultural purposes instead of its value as development property, is increasing once again in 2025. For this Legal with Leah, get an update on CAUV values with Ohio Farm Bureau Associate General Counsel Leah Curtis.
Among a myriad of items included in the new state budget for Ohio, there are changes to pesticide licensing laws that Ohio Farm Bureau considers overly burdensome when it comes to the direct impact of Ohio agriculture. In this Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau Associate General Counsel, Leah Curtis discussed these changes and what farmers need to know as they go into effect. ODA Private Applicator Page: https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/pesticides/private
On this episode of Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer, we talk with Andrew Margenot from the University of Illinois about his streambank erosion research and its potential attribution of nutrients to our water bodies. This episode is the fifth and final in a series that will discuss legacy phosphorus in Ohio farm fields and tributary systems.
On this episode of Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer, we talk with Jay Martin and Michael Brooker from The Ohio State University about their field research on high phosphorus level fields and ways to work on assessing and lowering their impact on our water bodies. This episode is the fourth in a series that will discuss legacy phosphorus in Ohio farm fields and tributary systems.
On this episode of Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer, we talk with Will Osterholz from USDA Agricultural Research Service on edge of field monitoring, old vs. new phosphorus and his thoughts on legacy P. This episode is the third in a series that will discuss legacy phosphorus in Ohio farm fields and tributary systems.
On this episode of Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer, we talk with Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge and H2Ohio Engineer Manager Justin McBride about the success and future of H2Ohio and the need for future funding to keep Ohio’s farmers engaged in on-farm conservation. This episode is the first in a series that will discuss legacy phosphorus in Ohio farm fields and tributary systems.
On this episode of Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer, we talk with Chris Winslow from Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory about the status of Lake Erie, federal budget cuts, legacy phosphorus and other topics as well. This episode is the second in a series that will discuss legacy phosphorus in Ohio farm fields and tributary systems.
On the Legal with Leah Podcast, CAUV is often discussed as a farmland preservation tool, but there are some other tools in the law that landowners can consider. Ohio Farm Bureau's Associate General Counsel Leah Curtis shared what benefits ag districts can have for landowners.
On this Legal with Leah, Leah Curtis, Associate General Counsel for Ohio Farm Bureau is back yet again, to talk about the Corporate Transparency Act as a new deadline to file has been set.
Farmers may be feeling like they’re on a roller coaster when it comes to Beneficial Ownership Information reporting requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act. A previously reinstated filing requirement has once again been put on hold. Lots of CTA news over the holiday period and lots of conflicting information out there on where things stand, so Leah Curtis, Ohio Farm Bureau’s Associate General Counsel fills us in on this Legal with Leah.
Some breaking news about the Corporate Transparency Act. As you have heard Ohio Farm Bureau’s Associate General Counsel Leah Curtis on the Legal with Leah Podcast, there was a deadline coming soon for most companies to file some information to the Federal Government. Seems that deadline has been eased a bit in light of some recent court decisions.
In 2023, the Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative (OACI) conducted a randomized sampling of crop production fields within the HUC8 Scioto Watershed using a statistical approach to determine what practices are being used by farmers within this watershed to manage water and nutrients in crop year 2022. In this podcast, key findings of the report are unveiled.
Time is running out for thousands of farmers who may face steep fines and possible jail time for failing to file their businesses with the federal government as part of new rules through the Corporate Transparency Act. Ohio Farm Bureau's Associate General Counsel, Leah Curtis has details about the rules and upcoming deadline.
There is yet another lawsuit about the health of Lake Erie and targeting farmers about their role in water quality for the Western Lake Erie Basin. Find out more about the case and why Ohio agriculture groups are getting involved on this Legal with Leah.
What’s happening with CAUV values for those due for an update in 2024? Leah Curtis, policy counsel for Ohio Farm Bureau has the details in this Legal with Leah.
After years of advocacy from Ohio Farm Bureau and its partners, the Ohio Department of Taxation announced that it will address inaccurate woodland calculations in the Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV) program. As Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Council notes in this Legal with Leah, these changes should result in significant tax savings for many woodland owners.
Ohio Farm Bureau is asking the highest court in the land take on a case to help Ohio landowners. In this Legal with Leah, OFBF Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis has the details of the brief the organization filed in the O'Connor v. Eubanks case.
A new license available to farmers to use in their direct marketing businesses is available. In this Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau's Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis discusses this new license, how it will be helpful to farmers who direct market and how Ohio Farm Bureau was involved in the process.
In 2023, the Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative (OACI) conducted a randomized sampling of 433 crop production fields within the HUC8 Sandusky watershed. A statistical approach was implemented to determine what practices are being used by farmers within this watershed to manage water and nutrients in the crop year 2022. In the field survey process, all the cropped fields within the watershed were considered in the randomized selection process regardless of farm and field size. However, only fields that were greater than 20 acres were selected for the survey; the average size of the fields surveyed was 72.7 acres. A trained Soil and Water Conservation District employee interviewed the landowner or farm manager for each field surveyed. The Ohio State University and the Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology at Iowa State University helped in designing the sampling strategy and data analysis.
Under the Corporate Transparency Act, some new paperwork requirements are going to be handed to farmers. Ohio Farm Bureau's Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis talks about what these changes are and what they mean on this edition of Legal with Leah.
A U.S. District Court of Arizona recently vacated critically important crop protection tools and, for now, farmers will not be able XtendiMax, Engenia and Tavium during the 2024 growing season. How will this impact Ohio farmers and what can be done to allow for use of the products that have already been purchased? Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis has the details in this Legal with Leah.
Many Ohioans will be treated to a rare phenomenon this spring when viewing of a total solar eclipse will be viewable for much of the state. On this Legal with Leah, we’re talking with Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis about some of the concerns this might bring up for landowners.
In November, Ohio voters passed Issue 2 by a count of 57% to 43%, which means certain aspects of the legalization of recreational use and cultivation of marijuana will soon go into effect. How will this impact agribusinesses and farm employers? Ohio Farm Bureau's Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis has some answers.
Trespassing is a concern that a lot of farmers and rural landowners unfortunately have to deal with. On this episode of Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau's Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis discusses trespassing laws and the liability that can fall on landowners when people enter their property.
Continuing the conversation about Ohio Farm Bureau's newly updated Landowner Toolkit, we are covering the topic of Boundary Disputes. According to Ohio Farm Bureau's Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis, when property owners may have issues with trees or encroachment on their property, they often turn to Farm Bureau for information.
On this episode of Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer, we talk to Dr. Stephan Jacquemin, Professor of Biology at Wright State Lake Campus and Theresa Dirksen, Agriculture and Natural Resources Director for Mercer County. We discuss the continued improvement of Grand Lake St. Marys after decades of decline and how the community pulled together to push the lake in the right direction.
What is zoning, what does it regulate and how does someone know if they have zoning in their area? In this Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis, covers those questions and shares that even though there can be zoning in rural areas, there are limitations in the law when it comes to agriculture.
On the previous Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau's Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis talked all about the EPA side of open burning, now we are back to talk about one more aspect of open burning that landowners need to be aware of.
The Ohio Landowner Toolkit, a resource exclusively for Ohio Farm Bureau members, has been updated. Our experts on staff, including Policy Counsel Leah Curtis, providing members with the latest information, guidance and critical information on land ownership, use, and management. For this Legal with Leah, we kick off a series of topics covered in the Toolkit, starting with open burning.
In this Legal with Leah Podcast, Ohio Farm Bureau's Policy Counsel Leah Curtis sheds light on a case from Saskatchewan, Canada, where a farmer must follow through on a $82,000 contract for flax which was confirmed via a text message stream answered by a thumbs-up emoji.
Property taxes are one of the biggest expenses farmers face each year, and the CAUV program saves Ohio farmers millions of dollars each year. Lots of news coming out about those CAUV values this year, so that is the topic covered with Leah Curtis, Policy Counsel with Ohio Farm Bureau for this Legal with Leah.
We continue a series of Legal with Leah Podcasts on the topic of labor. We have covered minimum wage and minors in the workforce. Now we move to overtime laws with Leah Curtis, Policy Counsel for Ohio Farm Bureau. Learn all about the basic laws, exemptions and considerations you should make when it comes to overtime.
As we near the end of summer, farmers may have some high school students or other local kids working for them, but back to school time may mean some different limitations on those employees. On this Legal with Leah Podcast, Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Council Leah Curtis shares what employers need to know about minors in the workforce.
Everyone is aware of the requirements to pay minimum wage, but there are some exemptions for agriculture that are good to keep in mind if you are a farm employer. On this Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis, covers minimum wage laws and how exemptions are not always what the market requires.
On this episode of Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer, we talk to Dr. Aaron Wilson, State Climatologist of Ohio, Assistant Professor, Ag Weather and Climate Field Specialist at The Ohio State University and the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center. We discussed weather for the upcoming growing season, effects of climate changes and much more.
The Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that the EPA went too far with its enforcement of the Clean Water Act, a huge ruling for farmers and landowners that could have a major impact on the Waters of the U.S. Rule. To talk more about it is Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis, for this Legal with Leah.
Direct marketing at farmers markets is a great way to sell your products and connect with your local community and we have seen a booming interest when it comes to selling and buying locally over the past 3 years. On this Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau's Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis fills us in on what we need to know as far as licensing goes for selling at a farmers market or even for goods made and sold from home.
Ohio Farm Bureau and the Union County Farm Bureau have been involved in a court case, Columbia Gas of Ohio v. Bailey Family/Arno Renner Trust, with potential impacts to farmland preservation programs. A long awaited decision in that important eminent domain case came out recently and Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis, breaks in all down in this Legal with Leah.
A second U.S. District Court ruled to halt the 2023 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule. This ruling stops implementation of the rule in 24 states, including Ohio. For this Legal with Leah, Ty Higgins visits with Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis, about what this means for the rule moving forward.
Despite being around since 1975, the Current Ag Use Valuation program, or CAUV, still has some issues that pop up from time to time. On this Legal with Leah, find out about a recent issue that Farm Bureau helped to resolved at the local level. Plus, Leah gives us a heads up on the fast approaching deadline to sign up for CAUV or renew for 2023.
A request by the State of Ohio to transfer certain regulatory responsibilities covering Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to the Ohio Department of Agriculture was recently denied by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Anti-animal agriculture groups claimed this as a win but, in reality as Ohio Farm Bureau policy counsel Leah Curtis lays out in this Legal with Leah, it didn’t change a thing about the livestock permitting process in Ohio.
It's a little unusual, but agricultural issues have been highlights of the opening weeks of the US Supreme Court. First was the Sackett v. US EPA case, which is questioning how we determine when a wetland is covered under the Clean Water Act. Second was a case over whether Proposition 12 in California, which is a ballot measure banning the sale of certain livestock products that are not raised under certain conditions. Ohio Farm Bureau's Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis, discusses what has been said so far in the arguments for both cases and the role Farm Bureau has played in them.
News out of Iowa that a private company has filed to use eminent domain to construct a carbon pipeline has raised lots of questions here in Ohio. In this Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis, talks about the differences in Iowa and Ohio laws and if something like this could happen in the Buckeye State.
Weeds can certainly be annoying and problematic, but noxious weeds could be detrimental to crops and livestock. What are noxious weeds and what are the landowner's responsibility in keeping them controlled? Ohio Farm Bureau's Policy Counsel Leah Curtis covers that on this Legal with Leah.
Ohio Farm Bureau and the Union County Farm Bureau recently filed an amicus brief in a case with potential impacts to farmland preservation programs. In this Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau policy counsel, Leah Curtis, fills us in on Columbia Gas of Ohio v. Bailey Family/Arno Renner Trust.
Ohio Farm Bureau recently filed an amicus brief in the Ohio Supreme Court in an eminent domain case. In this Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis tells us more about Ohio Power v. Burns.
On this episode of Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer, we talk to Stephanie Singer, Agriculture Outreach Project Manager at The Nature Conservancy about their Farmer Advocates For Conservation Program. The program provides payment to farmers in order to train and do outreach to their local farmers to promote conservation practices.
Can you trim a tree overhanging the property line? Who is liable if a tree from a neighboring property falls and damages your property? In this Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau policy counsel, Leah Curtis, answers the most common questions about Ohio laws regarding trees and property rights.
Sackett v. US EPA is a water case under review by the US Supreme Court. Ohio Farm Bureau recently joined with other state FBs to file an amicus brief with the court. Leah Curtis, policy counsel for Ohio Farm Bureau has the details in this Legal with Leah.
On this episode of Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer, we talk to Bruce Caldwell, CEO and Founder of 3Bar Biologics about their innovative technology that delivers viable microbes to farmers' fields.
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case against California’s Proposition 12 filed by The American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Pork Producers Council. In this Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis, discusses the ramifications Prop 12 has on American agriculture and what the next steps for the case will be.
After the major news of Intel building a massive technology plant in Licking County, “progress” is making its way deeper in rural areas of Ohio. That has spurred some conversations about how future economic development projects will look and some are wondering if eminent domain will play a role in finding the land resources for those projects. For this Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau policy counsel, Leah Curtis, talks about economic development and eminent domain.
On this episode of Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer, we talk to Ty Higgins, Senior Director of Communications and Media Relations at the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation about the year that was 2021 and a look towards emerging topics of 2022. We were also joined by OFBF Public Policy staff Leah Curtis and Jenna Reese to talk topics in their corner of the farm policy world.
US EPA announced a new policy which requires a more robust review of agri-chemicals in relation to the Endangered Species Act, impacting farmers who had planned on using some Enlist products this year. Why was this policy created? Get answers from Ohio Farm Bureau policy counsel, Leah Curtis.
News of new training requirements for new Commercial Drivers License (CDL) holders has raised questions and concerns about how it impacts farmers. For this Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis, discusses the New Entrant Training program rules and what they mean for agriculture.
What types of firearms are permitted for deer hunting in Ohio? That is a question that Ohio Farm Bureau's policy counsel, Leah Curtis gets asked every year. She answers that in this Legal with Leah with a look back to 2013, when Ohio Farm Bureau passed grassroots policy to support a change to Ohio’s hunting laws.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine recently signed HB172, fireworks legislation that represents a compromise between the Legislature and the Governor’s office. What's in the bill when it comes to personal firework displays, safety precautions and property owners? Ohio Farm Bureau's policy counsel Leah Curtis covers it all in this Legal with Leah.
As input prices for the 2022 crop production year continue to skyrocket, Ohio Farm Bureau is hearing that some people have had input contracts cancelled or changed due to “force majeure". On this Legal with Leah, find out more about this contract provision and what you need to look for when entering into an agreement.
On this episode of Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer, we talk with Dr. Jay Martin, Professor of Ecological Engineering, Department of Food, Agricultural & Biological Engineering at The Ohio State University about a couple innovative projects in the Western Lake Erie Basin dealing with nutrient runoff and conservation practice adoption.
On this episode of Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer, we talk with Mike Thompson and Bryan Randell from Indigo Ag on their carbon programs available for farmers across the state. This episode is the fourth in a series that will help understand the breadth and depth of carbon program options for Ohio farmers.
Who you vote for and who you vote with may be changing as Ohio’s election map gets a refresh through a process called “Redistricting”. For this Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau’s Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis, talks more about the process, how it works and what it means for Ohioans.
On this episode of Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer, we talk with Aldyen Donnelly, co-founder of Nori Inc. about all things carbon and what programming Nori offers for farmers interested in carbon sequestration. This episode is the third in a series that will help understand the breadth and depth of carbon program options for Ohio farmers.
Honey bees are growing in popularity in Ohio, but what are some things to consider if you are looking to become a beekeeper. In this Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau’s Ty Higgins and policy counsel, Leah Curtis, visit about the basics of beekeeping.
Chances are that as you traverse Ohio’s countryside you have seen signs for The Ohio Scenic Rivers Program. The state currently has 15 designated Wild, Scenic and Recreational rivers comprising 27 stream segments. More than 830 river miles are protected in the Ohio scenic river system, with some new designations being proposed. For this Legal with Leah, learn how the process works with Ohio Farm Bureau's policy counsel, Leah Curtis.
On this episode of Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer, we talk with Amanda Bahn-Ziegler, Account Manager for Truterra, about their emergence in the carbon space and their TruCarbon program, which has been available for farmers to cash in carbon credits from their farming practices. This episode is the second in a series that will help understand the breadth and depth of carbon program options for Ohio farmers.
On this episode of Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer, Julia Brown, Communications and Media Relations Manager for the Ohio Soybean Association talks about the quickly emerging carbon market and what farmers need to do to prepare for carbon sequestration programs in their area. This episode is the first in a series that will help understand the breadth and depth of carbon program options for Ohio farmers.
The passage of Ohio's SB 52 made some major changes to the process of developing wind and solar projects in Ohio. For the Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau's policy counsel, Leah Curtis, talks about the consequences of the legislation and what those currently in a lease or thinking about a lease need to know.
On this episode of Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer, we talk to Dale Arnold, Director, Energy, Utility and Local Government at Ohio Farm Bureau Federation about the growing solar farm movement in Ohio.
According to a survey conducted by the Environmental Law and Policy Center, a group known for targeting livestock agriculture, voters in northwest Ohio say they overwhelmingly favor strong, enforceable regulation of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Ohio Farm Bureau's Ty Higgins visits with OFBF's senior director of state and national policy, Brandon Kern, about the poll and the misleading tactics that lead to the results.
Proposed legislation in Congress would eliminate stepped-up basis and tax capital gains at death as ways to raise revenue for government spending. These changes would have a major impact on family farms throughout Ohio and across the country. For this Legal with Leah, Ty Higgins discussed the implications of these changes in the tax code with Ohio Farm Bureau’s policy counsel Leah Curtis and shares information about a Farm Bureau Action Alert for members to share how these changes would affect their livelihoods.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR A MILLION DOLLARS? WOULD YOU WALK AWAY FROM A SUCCESSFUL CAREER AND TAKE A MASSIVE FINANCIAL GAMBLE? ON THIS "TO THE BEAT OF AGRICULTURE", GET TO KNOW A FARMER WHO DECIDED TO DO JUST THAT. HE'S HARVESTED SUCCESS, DESPITE SOME FAILURE ALONG THE WAY.
ON THIS "TO THE BEAT OF AGRICULTURE", HEAR THE STORY OF A FIRST GENERATION FARMER WHO HAS MADE A HABIT OF SEEING OPPORTUNITY AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF IT. IN MANY WAYS, SHE HAS A PRETTY FOWL CAREER BUT ALSO A STRONG TRACK RECORD OF SERVICE AND OHIO FARM BUREAU INVOLVEMENT.
WHEN IT COMES TO THE SUCCESS OF A FARM, MUCH OF IT IS DEPENDENT ON A FAMILY STRUCTURE - GENERATION AFTER GENERATION BELIEVING IN THE GROWTH THAT CAN COME FROM WISELY WORKING THE LAND. BUT, CREATING A FARM FOR THE FUTURE OFTEN REQUIRES TWO THINGS: THE FIRST BEING ADAPTATION AND SECOND, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES. ON THIS TO THE BEAT OF AGRICULTURE, YOU'LL GET TO KNOW ONE MAN WHO HAS THOSE TWO THINGS IN MIND. BUT, HAS BUSHELS OF FUN WHILE WORKING INCREDIBLY HARD.
The term “stray voltage” has been used for over 50 years to describe the existence of voltage between two objects that should not, under normal circumstances, have any voltage difference between them. All stray voltage is unintentional and undesirable, yet it is not all that uncommon. In this Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau policy counsel Leah Curtis shares how an Ohio dairy farm, recently impacted by stray voltage, actually found themselves in court because of it.
On this episode of Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer, we talk to Ben Brown, formally of Ohio State University's CFAES Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics about all things Ohio farm economy. We also wish Ben a hearty farewell as he moves onto another job at the University of Missouri.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services says of the almost 1.5 million unemployment claims filed since May of 2020, half were flagged as fraudulent. Why is this happening and what do you do if you are a victim of unemployment fraud? Ohio Farm Bureau's Ty Higgins visits with OFBF's policy counsel Leah Curtis about the issue and how to protect yourself from unemployment fraud.
