Podcasts

Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast

The Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast gets to the heart of…

The Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast gets to the heart of what is happening throughout Ohio agriculture. Hear about important issues impacting Ohio Farm Bureau members and their communities as Ty Higgins visits with a wide variety of experts who cover farming, farm policy and food production across the value chain.

Latest Episode

Winter Could Challenge Ohio's Electric Grid

Ohioans were on the brink of blackouts during the harshly cold temperatures in December of 2022. Ohio's Electric Cooperatives' CEO, Pat O'Loughlin discusses the possibilities of blackouts again this winter and what his organization is doing to keep members informed should the power grid be pressed again. Plus, experts from Stone X will be hosting a webinar to go over a few common marketing scenarios farmers have recently faced or may face in the near future. Get a preview on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.

December 3 • 16m 47s

Episodes

Winter Could Challenge Ohio's Electric Grid

December 3 • 16m 47s

Leading the Standardbred Race

Ohio is the #1 horse breeding state in the country and has more registered standardbred horse owners than any other state. The Buckeye State often leads the way for Standardbred breeding and those numbers are once again on the rise. Get an update on Ohio's racing horse industry from Renee Mancino, executive director of the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association. Plus, for the last of a 4 part webinar series on farm labor, Ohio farmer Mark Ruff and industry consultant Michael Hoffman will outline the importance of a positive culture in employee engagement. Get a preview on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.

November 26 • 19m 8s

The Golden Owl Award and a CAUV Update

The Golden Owl Award recognizes agricultural educators across Ohio for their tremendous contributions to helping the next generation of agricultural leaders. Ohio Farm Bureau, along with our partners at Nationwide, the Ohio FFA, Farm Credit Mid-America and AgCredit are proud supporters of this award and you can nominate your favorite ag teaching now. Get all the details on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, lots of news coming out about CAUV values increasing in 2024, so we will talk about it with Leah Curtis, Policy Counsel with Ohio Farm Bureau.

November 19 • 12m 41s

The Corporate Transparency Act and Agriculture

The new Corporate Transparency Act requires that millions of businesses, including many farms and agribusinesses report their ownership to the Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and could provide a burdensome reporting requirement. Ryan Conklin and Jonathan Cottingim from Wright and Moore have the details on who needs to file. Plus, Ohio Farm Bureau's Leah Curtis has quality information that will help landowners manage their property, particularly when it comes to zoning and trespassing.

November 12 • 20m 20s

Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast Special - Policy Development

Twenty Ohio Farm Bureau leaders are serving on the 2023 Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Policy Development Committee. The committee collects and organizes public policy recommendations from county Farm Bureaus and presents the final policy suggestions to be voted on by Ohio Farm Bureau’s delegates during the state annual meeting in December. Two of the members of this year's committee, OFB State Trustee John Bolte and Morgan County Farm Bureau leader Krysti Morrow, talk about the policy development process and some of the topics they are discussing in their respective sub-committees.

November 9 • 5m 17s

Highlighting New Landowner and Farmer Resources

The Ohio Landowner Toolkit, a resource exclusively for Ohio Farm Bureau members, has been updated. Get a glimpse into some of the topics covered in the Toolkit from Ohio Farm Bureau's Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis. Then, David Marrison from Ohio State gives details of how he and his team will be helping farmers navigate the new farm bill, once it is passed.

November 5 • 19m 25s

Finding Healthcare Savings in Agriculture

Each year, farm fires cause more than $100 million in losses and damage to crops, animals, buildings and other property. We talk fire prevention on the farm with Nationwide on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, hear how you might save money on health coverage from two participants of the Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan.

October 29 • 18m 25s

Ohio's Collegiate Farm Bureaus

Recently, Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters from The Ohio State University and Wilmington College paid a visit to the Ohio Farm Bureau state offices in Columbus to share what their respective groups are doing to carry the important work of Farm Bureau at the college level and to learn how they can continue that work after their school days are over. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, meet the presidents of each chapter as Ty visits with Raegan Feldner from Ohio State and Delaney Weisend from Wilmington.

October 25 • 11m 5s

Navigating H2A and Ohio Soy Uses Worldwide

Ohio farmers representing the Ohio Soybean Council recently went to Egypt on a trade mission. They got to talk to buyers about U.S. Soy and get an up close look at how our soy is used in the Egyptian market. Learn what they found on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, get a preview of the next Labor Webinar that will focus on the process of bringing H2A workers to the farm.

October 22 • 13m 56s

Concerning Air Quality Rule Proposals

When it comes to agriculture policy, we talk a lot about water quality and soil quality, but there is some concern about conversations regarding air quality rules. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, learn about proposed stricter air standards that would impact farmers from farm policy expert Brandon Kern and the National Association of Manufacturers' Brandon Ferris.

October 15 • 14m 55s

ODOT Leaders Get Input from Farmers

Union County Farm Bureau member Mark Seger is a farmer and a project manager for the Ohio Department of Transportation District 6. Find out how he is sharing agriculture's concern about infrastructure development on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, Wright and Moore's Ryan Conklin talks about the distinction between legal problems and people problems.

October 8 • 14m 37s

CFAES Enrollment Pilot Project Results

The College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences has found success with a new pilot for enrollment called the Buckeye Agricultural Leadership Pathways (BALP) program to bring more students into the CFAES fold. Learn more about the program from Dean Cathann Kress on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, could offering a retirement savings option be the solution to help your operation stand out to perspective employees? A Nationwide expert talks about how to attract farmworkers with retirement savings plans.

October 1 • 24m 34s

Creative Ways to Retain Farm Employees

Finding employees for your farm is one thing, but retaining those employees remains one of farmers’ greatest challenges as the competition for available farm workers intensifies and what they need in order to stay on the payroll changes. That will be the topic of discussion during an upcoming webinar. Get a preview on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.

September 24 • 6m 51s

A Young Ag Professionals Update

Ohio Farm Bureau’s young farmer program, Young Ag Professionals, provides community, leadership development, and professional growth opportunities for members who are 18-35. This is a busy time of year for our Y.A.P. program. Get an update on the latest happenings on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, Hundreds of Ohio agricultural businesses have a little bit more of a healthy outlook now that they participate in the Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan. But we want to help even more people have access to Anthem’s affordable healthcare through this plan. Anthem joins Ty to talk about how the partnership with Ohio Farm Bureau works and why it's so valuable for members.

September 17 • 16m 37s

Estate Tax Alert and Farm Science Review

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 has had many positive impacts for American families, including when it comes to a substantial Estate Tax exemption. However, that exemption and many others will sunset at the end of 2025. Find out what Ryan Conklin with Wright and Moore is telling his clients in order to prepare accordingly. Plus, get a preview of this year's Farm Science Review with the show's manager, Nick Zachrich on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.

September 10 • 15m 8s

Ohio State's AgTech Innovation Hub

Changes in the frequency and severity of droughts and floods brought on by climate volatility are real threats to farmers, ranchers and the world as they could make it more difficult to grow crops and raise animals in the same ways and same places as they have been done in the past. To help the agricultural industry meet the ever-changing concerns of its stakeholders, Ohio Farm Bureau, Nationwide and The Ohio State University have collaborated to form the AgTech Innovation Hub. Learn more about it on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.

September 3 • 18m 11s

Farm Labor Challenges and New Resources

Finding and retaining skilled farm workers is a challenge. Ohio Farm Bureau and Nationwide have created a new collection of labor resources to help farmers understand the long-term implications of the labor shortage and provide solutions that will help position your farm business to better attract, hire and retain farm employees. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, learn more about these resources and an upcoming webinar series to help you find creative ways to recruit farm employees.

August 27 • 14m 21s

A Future without Glyphosate

Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the United States and has proven to be an effective, cost-efficient weed control tool that has enabled farmers to add conservation practices to millions of acres. But what would a future without glyphosate look like? Aimpoint Research dove into that question and on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, they share the answers. Plus, hear from Andrako Insurance and find out why 630 agricultural businesses throughout the state are seeing real benefits through the Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan.

August 20 • 28m 14s

Talking Soybeans in the Field and Classroom

Policy, agronomy, checkoff related issues and the latest artificial intelligence technology in action will all be a part of the Ohio Soybean Hometown Tour. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, we visit the first stop on the statewide tour and visit with a teacher using resources from the soybean checkoff-funded GrowNextGen program.

August 13 • 16m 58s

A Farm Bill Update

Going back almost 100 years, the farm bill has become an integral part in keeping America’s food system strong and reliable. Today, Agriculture’s role in providing food security, and in turn national security, to the United States is more important than ever. And now, work on the next farm bill has started during a period of volatility on every front – political, economic and beyond. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, find out more about the Farm Bill, the current status of it and what the general public thinks of the farm legislation.

August 6 • 28m 7s

Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast Special - Rural Ohio and Issue 1

As August 8th inches closer, more Ohioans are starting to pay more attention to Issue 1, which will be on the ballot for the special election. To talk more about the Issue and what is at stake for rural Ohio and Ohio agriculture, Ohio’s Secretary of State, Frank LaRose, joins the Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.

August 3 • 6m 49s

Ohio Agriculture in a Changing Climate

Throughout history, climate impacts on crop production are notable. Crop yields have been impacted by past weather extremes of droughts and floods. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, learn about climate trends for Ohio over the past century and what future climate conditions Ohio farmers should be prepared for. Plus, get mower safety tips from Ohio BWC and find out the most important things people need to know before they get on a mower.

August 1 • 21m 51s

A Preview of the 2023 Ohio State Fair

The 2023 Ohio State Fair kicks off July 26th and runs through August 6th. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, find out what not to miss at this year's fair, including the Land and Living Building, hosted by Ohio Farm Bureau, the Dean's Charity Steer Show on August 1st and the shows, food and fun that are synonymous with The Ohio State Fair!

July 23 • 27m 45s

Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast Special - Issue 1

Issue 1, a ballot initiative that would modify the process for approving constitutional amendment proposals, will be considered on August 8th. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast Special, find out why Ohio Farm Bureau supports this measure and how its passage would protect Ohio agriculture.

July 19 • 21m 27s

Trimble Tech Labs at Ohio State Highlight Precision Ag

Trimble has announced that the Ohio State University will establish two state-of-the-art Trimble Technology Labs for the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast learn all about how these multidisciplinary labs will enhance Ohio State's teaching, research and outreach activities in food and agricultural engineering and construction management. Plus, if you are thinking about switching to a new crop in your operation, Nationwide has tips to manage the risks of that decision.

July 16 • 20m 8s

Soybean Plant Research Results

Soybeans account for nearly 5 million acres of crop production in Ohio, making it the most planted crop in the state and the most lucrative from an economic standpoint by bringing in over $4 billion annually to Ohio’s bottom line. That makes research and development at the local level, supported by the Ohio Soybean Council, so important. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, hear from an Ohio State researcher who is constantly working to make improvements to soybean production to benefit Ohio soybean farmers. Plus, learn about a free Farm Marketing Webinar from StoneX that will help farmers through a challenging marketing environment and get an update from Ohio Farm Bureau's Young Ag Professionals.

July 9 • 22m 29s

Saving Money on Energy and Healthcare Costs

The price of everything is going up. Many Ohioans are doing a double take when they see their latest electricity or healthcare bills as rates have gone up considerably. What is the cause of these rate hikes and how can Ohio Farm Bureau members see if they are getting the best deal for their energy and health care needs? Find out on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.

July 2 • 23m 10s

How Ohio Agriculture and Amazon Connect

Immersing the Ohio Farm Bureau staff in new and upcoming technologies in agriculture has been a main focus in recent years and one such field trip had them learning about how dairy cows are fueling Amazon trucks and how important Columbus is as a hub for agricultural commerce around the world. Hear all about it on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus learn about considerations farmers should make when it comes to how they approach the machinery replacement.

June 25 • 20m 53s

Big Plans for Waterman at Ohio State

Waterman at The Ohio State University is getting quite a few additions and upgrades over the coming years to attract more students who want to be involved in the food system. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, learn about the new Controlled Agriculture Research Complex and other big plans for the Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resource Laboratory. Plus, it is a record year for FCMA's Patronage Program. Get the details here.

June 18 • 20m 41s

A Convergence of Farm Bureau Leadership

When it comes to protecting agriculture on a national scale, Ohio Farm Bureau works closely with our counterparts at American Farm Bureau. Leaders of AFBF recently visited The Buckeye State to hear about some of the successes and challenges the Ohio Farm Bureau has had in recent months. Hear from leaders of both organizations on this Ohio Farm Bureau podcast.

June 11 • 29m 26s

An H2Ohio Update

Get an update on the H2Ohio water quality initiative and hear what the goals are for the program moving forward. Plus, find out what a cost-benefit analysis says about the funding allocated to farmers taking part in the initiative on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.

June 4 • 23m 16s

The Growing Forward Program

On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, learn more about Farm Credit Mid-America’s Growing Forward™ program for young, beginning and small farmers. Plus, get tips on selling your products direct to consumers from OFBF Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis.

May 28 • 12m 25s

Fighting for Reliable Electricity in Ohio

The topic of reliability of electricity has become increasingly concerning to Ohio’s co-ops as the number of baseload power generation sites has been reduced dramatically in the past 15 years - from 21 coal plants in Ohio to now just 4. Pat O’Loughlin, the President and CEO of Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives, talks about the issue and what his organization is sharing with policy makers at the state and federal levels. Plus, get an Ohio Farm Bureau policy update from Brandon Kern.

May 21 • 30m 36s

Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer and ShockAvoid

How will your county fair stack up in this year's Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer contest? Find out all about the Farm Credit Mid-America and Rural 1st contest, now in its 3rd year, on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, meet Mark McLaren as he shares his creation, ShockAvoid and how it helps equipment operators avoid electrical infrastructure and prevent electrocution.

May 14 • 18m 48s

AgriPOWER and OFB Pilot Project to Deliver Value

Learn more about Ohio Farm Bureau's leadership and advocacy development program, AgriPOWER, from two recent graduates. Plus, find out how a new pilot project is helping to deliver a new level of service to Ohio Farm Bureau members in northwestern Ohio.

May 7 • 25m 13s

Farm On Course for Beginning Farmers and an OHHA Update

A new online farm management course offered by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) will help Ohio’s beginning farmers qualify for the requirements of the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Beginning Farmer Tax Credit program. Learn more about it and get an update from the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.

April 30 • 20m 31s

Ohio Grown Bourbon Featured in New Seed to Sip Video Series

We have all heard of “farm to plate” and “field to fork”, but some of the commodities grown in Ohio are for something that comes in a glass. Ohio Liquor recently launched their Seed to Sip video series, highlighting the food chain for a bottle of Ohio bourbon. Find out more about it and learn what new election laws in Ohio mean for you next time you head to the polls.

April 18 • 32m 25s

Drones in Agriculture and Planting Safety Tips

From planting cover crops to weed control to scouting plant health, drones are becoming more of a necessity and less of a novelty each year. So much so that an Ohio implement dealer has signed an agreement with a drone manufacturer to help farmers, no matter the size and scope of the farm or drone experience, to begin using the latest technologies drones offer. Find out more about the use of drones in agriculture on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, as dust begins to fly across Ohio, we will have some planting season safety tips to make sure the start of the new crop year goes off without a hitch.

April 16 • 22m 55s

Dairy Pricing Reform

Prompted by a call from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to get as many people involved in dairy as possible in one room to discuss solutions to Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) shortfalls, the American Farm Bureau Federation hosted a forum last October in Kansas City, Missouri. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, hear from Ohio Farm Bureau members who took part in the event, which resulted in some positive conversations and new policy for dairy pricing moving forward.

April 10 • 30m 35s

Ohio's Beginning Farmer Tax Credit

Years in the making, and thanks in large part to the ongoing efforts of Ohio Farm Bureau, the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit is now available to those who’ve recently entered the field, as well as those who help beginning farmers. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, Ty visits with the Ohio Department of Agriculture's Tracy Intihar, beginning farmer Katie Hodges and the co-sponsors of HB95, the bill the created the tax credit, Reps. Susan Manchester and Mary Lightbody.

April 2 • 14m 34s

Food Grade Soy, Farm Finances and Nuisances

Ohio soybeans have many uses. We often hear about industrial uses of soy, but many of the soybeans grown in the Buckeye State are of the non-GMO, food-grade variety. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, Ty visits with a farmer-leader with the Ohio Soybean Council to talk about his experience planting food-grade soybeans and the opportunities that exist for other Ohio farmers to do that same. Plus, get the details of Ohio State’s Farm Financial Management and Policy Institute and hear from Nationwide about attractive farm nuisances and the importance for the landowner to work with a specialist who can best identify the risks and put a protection plan in place.

March 26 • 24m 28s

Senators talk farm bill, trade with Ohio Farm Bureau leaders

Nearly 80 Ohio Farm Bureau members made the annual trip to the Nation's Capital to visit with lawmakers about issues taking shape in Washington that will impact Ohio agriculture. County Farm Bureau Presidents heard from Senators J.D. Vance and Sherrod Brown during the trip and found out where they stand on some of those issues. Hear their comments on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.

March 19 • 32m 20s

Biosecurity and Lessons from HPAI

Ohio had the 3rd largest outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in 2022 and that has all livestock organizations sharing even more information and resources when it comes to biosecurity. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, Ty visits with guests at the 2023 Ohio Pork Congress, including Ohio Pork Council President Nick Seger and State Veterinarian Dr. Dennis Summers, who says there were some valuable lessons learned from HPAI that can be utilized across all of Ohio's livestock sectors.

March 12 • 22m 18s

Fostering Tomorrow's Ag Workforce and StoneX Webinar Details

The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation is committed to inspire and educate the next generation of farmers, ensuring the progress and prosperity of Ohio's agriculture far into the future. They carry out that mission by creating pathways for young people to learn about the variety and viability of careers in agriculture. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, we get a Foundation Update as we talk scholarship deadlines, upcoming ExploreAg camps and more. Plus, learn about a StoneX grain and oilseed outlook webinar exclusively for Farm Bureau members.

March 5 • 15m 39s

Building A Farm Brand on Social Media

On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, hear from four young entrepreneurs on how they have built their personal brands and businesses to leave a lasting legacy. They shared their insights with Ty Higgins during a panel discussion at the Young Ag Professionals Winter Leadership Experience. Expert panelists include Dr. Sarah Ison, Dr. Marissa Hake, Kristin Patterson and Rebecca Dalton.

February 26 • 40m 47s

Celebrating FFA Week and Grain Bin Safety Week

On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, we have a lot to celebrate when it comes to bringing new agriculturalist into the industry and protecting those on the farm today. Jessica Parrish, Executive Director of the Ohio FFA Foundation and Ohio FFA State Vice President at Large, Luke Jennings share details about National FFA Week and Give FFA Day and how you can support the next generation of the agriculture workforce. It is also Grain Bin Safety Week and nominations are now open for the 10th annual Nominate Your Fire Department Contest from Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau. Paul Stevenson, Senior Risk Management Consultant at Nationwide shares how efforts to get more life-saving equipment to rural fire departments are making a big difference. Then, Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague joins Ty to talk about the AgLINK program and how farmers can save on their 2023 input costs with lower interest rates on their operating loans.

February 19 • 26m 24s

Local Soybean R&D Adding Value Worldwide

When it comes to Research and Development, the Ohio Soybean Council is taking matters into their own hands with a laboratory in Ohio created to specifically find new uses for soybeans and add value to the commodity for growers across the country. Learn more as Ty visits with OSC's Jerry Bambauer and United Soybean Board Vice Chair Steve Rinehart.

February 12 • 28m 13s

The Future of Ag Tech and Pesticides

The technology component of agriculture is exciting but whether it is hardware, software or crop protection, it comes with some challenges. Ty visited with speakers from the OABA Industry Conference to find out more. Guests include OABA President and CEO Chris Henney, Mitch White with Raven and Syngenta's Dave Flakne.

February 5 • 25m 3s

Ohio Agriculture in the Mainstream Media

It’s a figure that’s been tossed around a million times. Less than 2% of the population is involved in agriculture. That means over 98% of Americans don’t know much about food production, but they are becoming more and more curious. Telling the story of Ohio agriculture has been a focus for one mainstream media outlet in Ohio. This week on the Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, Ty Higgins visits with Spectrum News 1 anchor, Chuck Ringwalt, about a weekly segment that tells the story of Ohio’s farmers and rural communities.

January 29 • 20m 30s

Protecting Yourself from Scammers

Every day, thousands of unassuming Americans are tricked into revealing confidential information. Savvy criminals want your information, so they can commit identity theft or fraud, which can be avoidable if you take the right precautions. Host Ty Higgins visits with the cybersecurity team from Nationwide to share what tactics are being utilized to steal your identity and your money and how you can protect yourself from these malicious attacks.

January 25 • 26m 45s

Ohio's Contest and Policy Wins at AFBF

Farm Bureau members from around the country came together as “Mi Familia” for the 104th American Farm Bureau Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico, earlier this month. President Zippy Duvall opened the convention with an encouraging keynote address highlighting the good work members are doing to advocate for the farm bill and other important policies, in addition to educating students about agriculture and telling farmers’ stories. Hear his address, find out what policies were adopted by AFBF that came directly from Ohio Farm Bureau members and celebrate all of The Buckeye State's successes on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.

January 18 • 27m 13s

Inflation and Energy Watch Outs for Ag

The cost of everything is higher, but what is actually causing that? Ohio Farm Bureau's Ty Higgins talks inflation, supply chain, pandemics and Ukraine with Ohio State's Professor and Andersons Chair of Agricultural Marketing, Trade and Policy, Dr. Ian Sheldon. He also gets a long-term look at energy and the role carbon markets will play on the ag economy and in the competition for land from Ohio State professor, Brent Sohngen.

January 11 • 19m 9s

Weather and Labor Forecasts

Weather and labor are two very important aspects of agriculture. What does the future of both look like? Ohio Farm Bureau's Ty Higgins talks about the weather with Ohio's state climatologist Aaron Wilson, who gives a short and long-term outlook. He also visits with Ohio State Assistant Professor Margaret Jodlowski about the outlook for ag labor and the new look of getting and maintaining a workforce.

January 4 • 20m 27s

The 104th Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting

Ohio Farm Bureau members celebrated “Our Legacy, Our Future” as the organization held its 104th annual meeting earlier this month in Columbus. Nearly 370 delegates from all 88 Ohio counties established the organization’s policy goals for the coming year, recognized county Farm Bureau and individual achievements and honored industry leaders. On this Our Ohio Weekly, we will recap this year’s annual meeting of Ohio’s largest farm organization. 00:00 - Adam Sharp, Ohio Farm Bureau’s executive vice president, addressed the organization’s members and partners at the 104th annual meeting in December. 23:50 - The Ohio Farm Bureau Young Agricultural Professionals Winter Leadership Experience is coming up next month in Sandusky. YAP State Committee member Bailey Elchinger shares some details in this To the Beat of Agriculture. 32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau's senior director of state and national policy, Brandon Kern, talks about some of the main policies that come from Ohio Farm Bureau's 104th Annual Meeting. He also covers the latest Renewable Fuels Standard numbers from EPA and the effort to allow for sales of E15 year round. 42:20 - 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 explains, it didn’t change a thing about the livestock permitting process in Ohio.

December 18 • 48m 8s

A Harness Racing Review and Winter Leadership Experience Preview

With an economic impact for Ohio worth nearly $1.5 billion, the equine industry is a big money maker for the state. Ohio has a horse population of about 306,000, making it the 6th most populous state in the country when it comes to horses. It also has the 6th most horses per square mile of land in the country with that number being over 7. That stat continues to grow at a galloping rate. On this Our Ohio Weekly, learn more about Ohio’s standardbred industry with the Executive Director of the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association and get all of the details about the 2023 Young Ag Professionals Winter Leadership Experience. 00:00 - Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association Executive Director, Renee Mancino, recaps the 2022 season and how sports wagering with impact the racing industry in Ohio. 16:50 - Young Agricultural Professionals committee member Sara Tallmadge gives a preview of the 2022 Winter Leadership Experience and talks about some of the highlights of this year’s event. 23:50 - On the latest “To the Beat of Agriculture, hear from a member of Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Ag Professionals, Jonathan Zucker from Marion County, as he shares his family farm background and gives a sneak peak into this year’s YAP Winter Leadership Experience. 32:20 - One of the most popular speakers each year at the Young Agricultural Professionals Winter Leadership Experience is Ben Brown. Formerly an economist at Ohio State, Brown will make the trip to Sandusky in January from the University of Missouri to share his knowledge. 42:20 - The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has opened up the application process for their new Safety Intervention Grants. BWC’s Bruce Loughner discusses how folks in the ag industry can take advantage of these grants and shares some examples of past recipients.

December 4 • 48m 8s

The Golden Owl - Honoring Ohio's Agricultural Educators

Agricultural educators across the country devote countless hours, and often their own resources, to positively impact the lives of their students. Nationwide, along with Ohio Farm Bureau and Ohio FFA recognizes the state’s Ag Educator of the Year with the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy and, along with it, $3,000 in funding to help bring new opportunities to their programs. On this Our Ohio Weekly, meet this year’s winner, Barrett Zimmerman and find out how to nominate the next Golden Owl recipient. 00:00 - Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide and Barrett Zimmerman, 2022 Golden Owl Award winner talk about the amazing work of ag educators in Ohio and how they are being recognized. 23:50 - On the latest “To the Beat of Agriculture”, hear from a member of the Young Agricultural Professionals State Committee, Jaclyn DeCandio, as she tells us about the upcoming Winter Leadership Experience and gives just a few reasons as to why you should consider taking part. 32:20 - Now that the election season is over, we are entering into the Lame Duck Session for Ohio’s Senate and House. What are some of the issues Ohio agriculture is keeping an eye on during this interesting time in Ohio politics? Ohio Farm Bureau’s directors of state policy, Evan Callicoad and Stephan Shehy tell us. 42:20 - Twenty Ohio Farm Bureau leaders are serving on the 2022 Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Policy Development Committee. The policy committee consists of 10 members from Ohio Farm Bureau’s board of trustees and 10 representatives of county Farm Bureaus. Mike Bensman of Sidney and Scott Bugg of Union County talk about their involvement and some of the tough issues they are tackling on behalf of Ohio Farm Bureau members.

November 20 • 48m 9s

A Conversation with Congressman Bob Gibbs

At the end of his term in January 2023, Congressman Bob Gibbs (OH-07) will be retiring after over a decade in Washington, D.C. Gibbs is the only former state Farm Bureau president to be elected to Congress, and recently Ohio Farm Bureau's Ty Higgins made a trip to Gibbs' northeast Ohio farm to visit about his time in public office and how it all started with his involvement in Farm Bureau. 00:00 - Congressman Bob Gibbs shares his Ohio Farm Bureau story and his path to serving in the U.S Congress. 16:50 - Congressman Bob Gibbs talks about his biggest accomplishments while serving in the U.S. Congress and the role reversal of visiting D.C. as a Farm Bureau member to a member of Congress. 23:50 - On the latest “To the Beat of Agriculture”, hear from a West Dayton cattle farmer about his farm to table operation and how a couple of decommissioned golf courses started a non-profit that benefits Ohio Food Banks. 32:20 - Morgan Meyer, Ohio State University Collegiate Farm Bureau President, Megan Roell, Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau President, and Abigail Schwartz, Wright State University Lake Campus Collegiate Young Farmers President talk about why they are involved in Farm Bureau at the collegiate level and what their organizations are doing to get more young people signed up. 42:20 - Solving problems and reducing risk with healthy soils will be the focus of an upcoming Farmer Advocates for Conservation Farmer Networking Event, December 14th in Findlay. Stephanie Singer, the Agriculture Outreach Project Manager with The Nature Conservancy has the event details.

November 6 • 48m 9s

Nationwide Agribusiness

As Ohio Farm Bureau’s biggest and best partner, Nationwide offers Farm Bureau members solid coverage and exceptional customer service on a wide range of products, including just about everything it takes to make a farm successful. On this Our Ohio Weekly, we will visit with Nationwide Agribusiness associates about how they are on the forefront of agriculture innovations, their new department focusing on larger operations and how they take risk management to the next level. 00:00 - Brad Liggett, President of Nationwide Agribusiness, talks about the priorities that he and his team have as they work with farmers and agricultural companies across the country. 16:50 - One of the newest additions to the Nationwide Agribusiness structure is a Large Farm Department. Justin Owens, Director of Commercial Lines Underwriting and Emily Berrier, Associate Vice President of Farm Underwriting have the details about this new department. 23:50 - Erin Cumings, Senior Consultant of Sponsor Relations for Nationwide Agribusiness talks about how being a farmer helps her relate to Nationwide policyholders the company services. 32:20 - Supply chain and inflation is having an impact on the insurance industry. Nationwide’s Vice President of Agribusiness and Commercial Lines Claims, Nickolas Andersen shares what policyholders should keep in mind as these challenges persist. 42:20 - Many Nationwide Agribusiness associates, including their Manager of Risk Management Consulting, Emily Atwood, are farmers. She shares how her knowledge of agriculture feeds her career in downtown Des Moines, Iowa.

October 23 • 48m 9s

Andy "Caygeon" Junkin - Stubborn.Farm

Keeping family on the same page when it comes to planning out the next months, years or generations of the farm is not for the faint of heart, but this week’s guest, Andy "Caygeon” Junkin is helping many farms by doing the heavy lifting for these weight conversations. Junkin is widely recognized as the leading expert on farm succession and farm debt turnarounds, having written five books and spoken in 14 states on the topic. 00:00 - Stubborn.farm’s Andy “Caygeon” Junkin talks about how he got started helping farm families work through tough issues that would otherwise be the detriment of the farm. 23:50 - On the latest To the Beat of Agriculture hear from the Vice President of the Mahoning County Farm Bureau and learn how his family’s generational conservation efforts have led to a recent recognition at this year’s Farm Science Review. 32:20 - Andy “Caygeon” Junkin discusses what trends he is seeing when it comes to farms that are struggling to continue due to family dynamics and challenging economic conditions. 42:20 - Hanna Fosbrink with the Ohio Beef Council and the Beef Checkoff talks about her organization’s recent programs that have been driving the demand for beef.

October 16 • 48m 9s

The 2022 Washington D.C. Leadership Experience

Ohio Farm Bureau’s farmer leaders including young agricultural professionals, AgriPOWER Class XIII members and county presidents and vice presidents visited Washington, D.C. last month. Over the three day trip, participants heard from experts and in turn voiced their thoughts to help legislators make the connection between what is happening on Ohio farms and what is being debated in the halls of Congress and within federal agencies. We cover some of the highlights of the trip on this Our Ohio Weekly. 00:00 - Senator Rob Portman addressed attendees of the 2022 Washington D.C. Leadership Experience and talked about his farm in southwest Ohio and some of the issues those within agriculture are facing today. 16:50 - Senator Sherrod Brown, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, visited with Ohio Farm Bureau members about the process of learning what is important as the 2023 Farm Bill begins to take shape. 23:50 - On the latest To the Beat of Agriculture meet John Hummel and hear about how his lifelong passion for agriculture resulted in him winning Ohio Farm Bureau’s 2022 Outstanding Young Farmer award. 32:20 - Senator Sherrod Brown also heard from Ohio Farm Bureau members about input costs and other inflationary pressures they are dealing with at the farm level. 42:20 - JD Vance, candidate for U.S. Senate in Ohio, has been named a Friend of Farm Bureau by the organization’s Agriculture for Good Government Political Action Committee (AGGPAC). Vance talks about what he is learning from farmers as he travels the state to talk about how agriculture is impacted by decisions made at our nation’s capital.

October 2 • 48m 9s

Our Ohio Weekly: Solar Energy in Ohio – Part 2

The U.S. Department of Energy defines community solar as any solar project or purchasing program, within a geographic area, in which the benefits of a solar project flow to multiple customers such as individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and other groups. To talk more about contracts, liability, taxes and eminent domain around solar energy, Our Ohio Weekly host Ty Higgins brings back Dale Arnold, Ohio Farm Bureau’s Director of Energy Policy and Ohio Farm Bureau’s policy counsel, Leah Curtis. 00:00 - Dale Arnold, Ohio Farm Bureau’s Director of Energy Policy and Ohio Farm Bureau’s policy counsel, Leah Curtis talk about community solar leases, how eminent domain fits into the solar discussion and how your tax situation may change if you become involved in a lease. 23:50 - On this week’s To the Beat of Agriculture, hear the story of a man, recently crowned a champion, who comes from a family steeped in the rich tradition of auctioneering. 32:20 - The 2022 Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Policy Development Committee has begun their work of collecting and organizing public policy recommendations from county Farm Bureaus and will present the final policy suggestions to be voted on by Ohio Farm Bureau’s delegates during the state annual meeting in December. Ohio Farm Bureau’s Senior Director of Policy Development, Dr. Larry Antosch discusses some of the issues the committee will be tackling. 42:20 - Ohio State University Extension is offering up more opportunities for adults and teens to take FREE Mental Health First Aid classes. Bridget Britton, Behavioral Health Field Specialist, Tuscarawas County OSU Extension has the details.

September 25 • 48m 9s

Solar Energy in Ohio - Part 1

Solar energy in Ohio has been, pun intended, a pretty hot topic over the past few years as more and more landowners in all parts of the state are being approached about signing leases to utilize their property to collect energy from the sun. That growing interest in the Buckeye State has led to difficult discussions, tough decisions and a divide in opinion across the countryside. On this Our Ohio Weekly, we talk all things solar with two Ohio Farm Bureau experts. 00:00 - Dale Arnold, Ohio Farm Bureau’s Director of Energy Policy and Ohio Farm Bureau’s policy counsel, Leah Curtis talk about the current issues around Ohio’s solar industry and what Farm Bureau members need to know before signing an agreement. 23:50 - On this week’s To the Beat of Agriculture, you’ll hear from a Butler County farmer who was recently elected to the U.S. Grains Council and about the type of impact that organization makes not only in Ohio, but across the world. 32:20 - Earlier this month, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was detected in a backyard flock in Ashland County and a commercial chicken flock in Defiance County. Ohio Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian, Dr. Dennis Summers, shares what other poultry farmers should do to protect their flocks and if there is a health concern for consumers. 42:20 - The host of the Ag State of Mind Podcast, Jason Medows, was in Highland County to share his thoughts on farm stress and mental health. He gives his perspective on the stigma of the topics in agriculture and what role the younger generation plays in continuing the conversation.

September 18 • 48m 8s

A Preview of the 60th Farm Science Review

Ohio State’s Farm Science Review, which turns 60 this year, plans to highlight its decades of providing valuable information to farmers and producers, while focusing on continuing to educate for the future. The premier agricultural education and industry exposition is set for Sept. 20–22 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center near London. Hosted by Ohio State's College of Food Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the 60th FSR will focus on “Embracing Time and Change.” Get a preview of the show on this Our Ohio Weekly. 00:00 - Nick Zachrich, manager of Farm Science Review, talks about all of the exhibits, activities, field demonstrations and other highlights of this year’s show. 23:50 - On this week’s To the Beat of Agriculture, we’ll hear the story of a farm in eastern Ohio whose history with conservation led to a much deserved award. 32:20 - Ohio’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation will be set up at this year’s Farm Science Review to visit with attendees about hearing protection on the farm. BWC’s Administrator Stephanie McCloud talks about their FSR presents and things to think about when it comes to safety during harvest season. 42:20 - There will be plenty to talk about with Ohio Farm Bureau at this year’s Farm Science Review. Farm Bureau’s Adam Carney shares what you will find when you stop by the corner of Beef and Friday.

September 11 • 48m 9s

Ohio EPA's Proposed TMDL for Northwest Ohio

A TMDL, or Total Maximum Daily Load determines the maximum amount of a given pollutant that can be discharged into a body of water and still allow that water body to meet its water quality goals. One such TMDL is being put together right now by Ohio EPA for a big chunk of northwest Ohio, the Maumee River Watershed. On this Our Ohio Weekly learn more about how TMDLs work and what this new one could mean for Ohio agriculture. 00:00 - Joshua Griffin, Ohio EPA Environmental Specialist talks about Ohio’s newest TMDL, the development process and impacts on northwest Ohio. 16:50 - Ohio Farm Bureau’s Sr. Director of Policy Development & Environmental Policy, Dr. Larry Antosch, talks about Farm Bureau’s involvement in the TMDL process and the organization’s overall policy on TMDLs. 23:50 - “To the Beat of Agriculture, hear from the C.O.O of a family farm in Jeffersonville. Learn about his sister, Gail Betterly and the incredible gift of a Nationwide life insurance policy she left for the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation after her passing. 32:20 - Nothing says “I love you” like a prenuptial agreement, but they are becoming an important piece of farm plans. Ryan Conklin, an attorney with Wright and Moore, explains why he is seeing more of these agreements put in place before the knot is tied. 42:20 - The Farm to School program through Ohio State Extension has been working with farmers, collaborating with community leaders and connecting students with local food and nutrition education for decades. Farm to School’s program assistant Haley Scott explains what the program is all about.

September 4 • 48m 9s

AFBF's Federal Milk Marketing Order Forum

In December 2021, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack requested that the dairy industry “get in a room” and work collaboratively to build consensus and find solutions to Federal Milk Marketing Order shortfalls. He specified that “the only way this works for the industry is to do the hard job of listening to one another.” In response to his request, the American Farm Bureau Federation is hosting an industry-wide dairy conference to discuss dairy pricing and meaningful changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Order system. Find out more about the Forum on this Our Ohio Weekly. 00:00 - American Farm Bureau is giving the dairy industry a chance to talk about pricing and meaningful changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Order system. The Forum will be held on October 14th-16th in Kansas City. AFBF economist Danny Munch shares the details. 16:50 - Ohio Farm Bureau recently filed two amicus briefs in prominent court cases. One being Ohio Power v. Burns case, an eminent domain case at the Supreme Court level here in the Buckeye State and the other being Columbia Gas of Ohio v. Bailey Family/Arno Renner Trust. Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis shares more about OFBF’s involvement. 23:50 - This week’s “To the Beat of Agriculture” brings up to a Groveport farm that is home to a growing goat yoga operator (amongst other things). But more than that, Harrison Farm is about planting seeds of perseverance that will sprout when the time comes. 32:20 - Farm Credit Mid-America’s Growing Forward program for young, beginning and small farmers plays a critical role in the shared purpose to secure the future of rural communities and agriculture. Farm Credit Mid-America’s Hilary Poulson shares how the program provides this important segment of customers with access to sound and constructive credit through individualized programs and products. 42:20 - Over the next few weeks, Allen and Van Wert County Farm Bureaus will be inviting kids of all ages to channel their “inner farmer” and drive a tractor on the fairgrounds track. Organization Director Jessica Vandenbroek has all of the info on Kids Dream Days.

August 21 • 48m 9s

The Future of American Farmland

Agricultural lands in the U.S. grow an astounding array of food, fiber, biofuels, and other raw materials. This abundance has made the U.S. one of the most food secure nations in the world. Yet it can also mask vulnerabilities. For too many Americans, it is easy to brush off farmland loss or view it as inevitable. This puts our future at risk according to American Farmland Trust’s newest Farms Under Threat 2040 Report. The report focuses on the unsustainable impacts of development on American farmland and it quantifies what our nation could lose if sprawling development continues—or save through more compact growth—by the year 2040. Find out more about this report on this Our Ohio Weekly. 00:00 - American Farmland Trust Midwest Regional Director Kristopher Reynolds shares what trends are showing us for farmland loss across the country and how Ohio falls into the mix. 16:50 - American Farmland Trust has mapped out three scenarios for the future of farmland across the country. Reynolds talks about what they all would mean. 23:50 - On this “To the Beat of Agriculture” we continue to spotlight Ohio Farm Bureau state trustees. This week we’ll hear from a Farm Bureau representative from the Northwest part of our state. He’ll tell you about his family background and how he grew his grandfather’s farm into the operation it is today. 32:20 - An Ohio Farm Bureau pilot project will test a unique combination of staffing and service delivery over eight counties instead of the typical four-county model. Ohio Farm Bureau’s vice president of membership, Paul Lyons, talks about the project’s focus and goals. 42:20 - Sackett v. U.S. EPA is a water case under review by the U.S. Supreme Court. Ohio Farm Bureau recently joined with other state Farm Bureaus to file an amicus brief with the court. Leah Curtis, policy counsel for Ohio Farm Bureau has the details.

August 7 • 48m 9s

Conservation Priorities in Ohio

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)has announced a second round of funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives (EQIP) Cover Crop Initiative. The program provides an investment of $38 million to 11 states, including Ohio, to help agricultural producers mitigate climate change through the adoption of cover crops. This second round of funding expands program eligibility to all state producers. On this Our Ohio Weekly, we will learn more about this program and the many other conservation initiatives being prioritized by NRCS. 00:00 - Ohio’s new State Resource Conservationist with NRCS, Eric Schwab talks about the natural resource priorities NRCS has in the state, and how partners and producers have made a measurable impact. 16:50 - Cathann Kress, vice president for agricultural administration and dean of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences talks about her reappointment to the post and Delaware County Farm Bureau member Kelly Harsh discusses her reelection to the National Corn Growers Association Corn Board. 23:50 - On this “To the Beat of Agriculture” we continue to spotlight Ohio Farm Bureau state trustees. This week we’ll hear from the District 3 representative for the Ohio Farm Bureau. She’ll share her memories from growing up on a dairy farm and how she eventually transitioned the farm to beef cattle. 32:20 - Benefit in the Barn is coming up on August 20th. The event, hosted by Delaware and Union County Farm Bureaus, brings the community together to raise awareness and funds for neighbors in need. Doug Loudenslager has the details. 42:20 - Can you trim a tree overhanging the property line? Who is liable if a tree from a neighboring property falls and damages your property? Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis answers the most common questions about Ohio laws regarding trees and property rights.

July 31 • 48m 9s

An Ohio State Fair Preview

After a two-year hiatus, The great Ohio State Fair is back this week! The 167th edition of the fair will have everything that we are used to when it comes to walks through the barn, the iconic butter cow, some deep-fried food on a stick, concerts, music, Smokey Bear and so much more. It is a very busy time for fair manager Virgil Strickler and assistant manager Alicia Shoults, but they take some time to tell us everything we need to know before getting back to the giant slide, sky glide and foods we have never tried. 00:00 - Virgil Stricker, General Manager of the Ohio State Fair and Alicia Shoults, Assistant General Manager give all of the details of what to see and do when you visit the 167th Ohio State Fair, July 27th through August 7th. 23:50 - On this week’s “To the Beat of Agriculture”, hear from a man who left his career to work alongside his father-in-law on the farm. Learn how he became involved in Ohio Farm Bureau and the skills he acquired through Farm Bureau’s AgriPOWER program. 32:20 - When you are at the Ohio State Fair, you don’t want to miss the Land and Living Building, sponsored by Ohio Farm Bureau. This year’s State Fair interns, Carlie Cluxton, Raegan Feldner and Jacob Zajkowski share what they have been working on for fairgoers to enjoy. 42:20 - The 2022 Dean’s Charity Steer Show will be at The Ohio State Fair on August 2nd. Our Ohio Weekly host Ty Higgins and Ohio Farm Bureau president, Bill Patterson will be participating to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio. Cathann Kress vice president for agricultural administration and dean of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences has all the details. Donate to team “Bill and Ty’s Excellent Adventure to help generate funds for a very worthy cause. - give.osu.edu/higginspatterson

July 24 • 48m 10s

A 101 on Hunting Leases

Leasing property for hunting and similar outdoor recreation has proven for many to be an attractive option when it comes to generating additional revenue for landowners, while also granting greater access to the outdoors. These leases are different from a typical agricultural lease so it's important to consider issues such as liability and managing shared access to the property in the event the land is also going to be used for agricultural or silvicultural purposes. On this Our Ohio Weekly, we will focus on practical issues landowners, hunters, and other lessees may consider while drafting leases. 00:00 - Rusty Rumley, a Senior Staff Attorney at theNational Agricultural Law Center shares how to help minimize legal risk and other potential problems when it comes to a hunting lease and how both the landowner and the hunter need to recognize these issues prior to entering into a lease. 23:50 - As our “To the Beat of Agriculture” series introducing you to state trustees of Ohio Farm Bureau continues, hear from Southeast Ohio’s Jenny Cox. She shares her involvement with the Farm Bureau Foundation united her passion for agriculture with her passion for education. 32:20 - Rusty Rumley, a Senior Staff Attorney at the National Agricultural Law Center discusses liability and termination and cancellation when it comes to hunting leases.

July 17 • 48m 9s

Cybersecurity in Agriculture

Recently, the FBI informed the Food and Agriculture sector that ransomware actors may be more likely to attack agricultural cooperatives during critical planting and harvest seasons, disrupting operations, causing financial loss, and negatively impacting the food supply chain. Why would farmers and the companies they work with be targeted through cyberattacks and what does something of that nature even look like? How are larger companies protecting themselves from such attacks and what could you be doing to protect your operation? Find out on this Our Ohio Weekly. 00:00 - John Gray, Chief Information Officer, Ohio Farm Bureau and Michael Moore, Executive Vice President - EFC Systems, Inc. talk about how the organizations they work for and with are taking appropriate cybersecurity measures to protect themselves from attacks that could impact the entire food supply chain. 23:50 - This week “To the Beat of Agriculture”, hear a story of one man’s journey from the front lines of war battlefields to planting fields of his own, allowing this veteran to continue to serve his country. 32:20 - As today’s farms and commercial agribusinesses grow in size and sophistication, agricultural professionals are using data and technology to drive profitability, improve safety and enhance their day-to-day operations. Jason Berkland, Senior Associate Vice President of Risk Management at Nationwide, shares details about a new partnership to offer advanced telematics and fleet management solutions at a discount for Nationwide’s agribusiness customers across the country. 42:20 - Shortly after the Ohio General Assembly passed a Capital Budget in the form of House Bill 687, Gov. Mike DeWine signed it into law. This funding allocates $3.5 billion to a myriad of initiatives over the next two years. Find out what is in the budget for agriculture from Ohio Farm Bureau’s senior director of state and national policy, Brandon Kern.

July 3 • 48m 9s

Ohio's 2022 Water Quality Status Report

From the continued growth of the H2Ohio water quality initiative to the recent soil test research from The Fertilizer Institute, data shows farmers are making progress in the ongoing efforts to protect clean water throughout Ohio. Two members of the Ohio Farm Bureau team are heavily involved in many of those efforts and on this Our Ohio Weekly, Ohio Farm Bureau's Dr. Larry Antosch, senior director of policy development and environmental policy and Jordan Hoewischer, director of water quality and research, share the results of the 2022 Ohio Water Quality Status Report. 00:00 - Antosch and Hoewischer give the details of the 2022 Water Quality Status Report. 23:50 - As we continue to feature Ohio Farm Bureau state trustees “To the Beat of Agriculture”, this week hear from the representative of District 12, Kyle Walls. He talks about how he came into agriculture as a first generation farmer and how taking a job all the way in South Dakota helped cement his future in the Buckeye State. 32:20 - With county fair season underway, Farm Credit Mid-America and Rural 1st are excited to launch the second installment of the Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer contest. The contest is designed to help junior fairs raise food donations for their local food banks through a competition between county fairs across Ohio. Farm Credit Mid-America’s Patrick Link shares the details. 42:20 - Safety outdoors is always a “hot topic” at the Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation. Mark Reams, Director of Loss Prevention for Ohio BWC’s Division of Safety & Hygiene has some tips to keep you cool and healthy in the summer sun.

June 26 • 48m 9s

Ohio Farm Service Agency Director John Patterson

From conservation to disaster assistance, crop insurance to Farm Bill programs, the Farm Service Agency has many important tasks falling under its purview. They work with dairy farmers, livestock producers, row crop farmers, beginning farmers, specialty crop farmers, beekeepers and just about everyone who contributes to the front end of our food supply system. That means there is always something to talk about when it comes to FSA and we will have that discussion with the new executive director of Ohio FSA on this Our Ohio Weekly. 00:00 - Ohio FSA Director John Patterson talks about his new role and the goals he has set for himself and his team throughout the state. 16:50 - Director Patterson has been impressed with the early success of H2Ohio and shares his views are what farmers are doing and will need to do in order to maintain healthy soils on the farm and clean water for all Ohioans. 23:50 - On this “To the Beat of Agriculture”, meet Ohio Farm Bureau’s District 8 Trustee, Roger Baker. Hear about his lifelong passion for agriculture and his desire to see the industry thrive in Ohio. 32:20 - Ohio FSA Director John Patterson was an early proponent of new and beginning farmer legislation that was recently passed in Ohio. He shares why that bill was so important to agriculture. 42:20 - Being a former teacher, Ohio FSA Director Bill Patterson knows how vital teaching agriculture in the classroom is and discusses why he wants to see more done on that front.

June 12 • 48m 9s

Recent Media Coverage of Rural Ohio

Journalism is changing. With the consolidation of small newspapers and mergers of some of Ohio’s larger media outlets, small towns aren’t getting a whole lot of attention these days. But two journalists are looking to rural Ohio for stories and sharing what they find with the entire nation. Emma Davis and Céilí Doyle have covered agriculture, education, broadband, infrastructure and many other challenges and opportunities for Ohio less populated areas. On this Our Ohio Weekly, meet these off-the-beaten-path reporters and find out what they are learning about rural Ohio. 00:00 - Reporters Emma Davis and Céilí Doyle discuss the challenges of covering rural Ohio for their respective news outlets and how becoming entrenched in the people and the stories of those parts of the state have impacted their reporting. 23:50 - As we feature more Ohio Farm Bureau state trustees “To the Beat of Agriculture”, this week we meet the organization’s District 19 Representative. Learn about John Mossbarger’s background in the equine industry, along with the similarities between raising horses and other livestock. 32:20 - Reporters Emma Davis and Céilí Doyle talk about the efforts being made to better the lives of rural Ohioans and if the funds being distributed are enough. 42:20 - Earlier this year, The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation announced that the Junior Achievement Virtual Inspire Career Exploration Fair is the 2022 recipient of the Youth Pathways for Careers in Agriculture Grant. Junior Achievement’s development manager, Kristi Ackerman, shares how the funds will be used and what the partnership with the Foundation will look like moving forward.

June 5 • 48m 9s

USDA Ohio Rural Development Director Jonathan McCracken

The goal of USDA Rural Development is to help improve the economy and quality of life in rural America by offering loans, grants and loan guarantees to help create jobs and support economic development and essential services such as housing; health care; first responder services and equipment; and water, electric and communications infrastructure. They also offer technical assistance and information to help agricultural producers and cooperatives get started and improve the effectiveness of their operations. Ohio’s USDA Rural Development office has a new state director. Meet Jonathan McCracken on this Our Ohio Weekly. 00:00 - Director McCracken gives an overview of his agency and what his new role entails, as well as some of the challenges and opportunities facing USDA Rural Development in Ohio. 23:50 - On this “To the Beat of Agriculture”, hear from a Washington County farmer representing Ohio Farm Bureau’s District 17 as a state trustee. Learn about how Al Miller now owns his family farm and the importance of preparing land for the next generation of farmers. 32:20 - In response to the final passage of House Bill 440, legislation to advance the Ohio Gains initiative, Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague announces important updates to the long-standing Ag-LINK program. 42:20 - Ohio State Extension climate specialist Aaron Wilson shares how (and why) to make your farm more weather resilient.

May 30 • 46m 9s

Mental Health in Rural America

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It is well known how big of a challenge mental health in the U.S. is, but very few realize how rural parts of our country are being impacted. A new nonprofit, Rural Minds, was launched last year to provide rural Americans with efficient access to existing mental health service organizations and address the importance of overcoming the stigma around mental health challenges. 00:00 - The Founder of Rural Minds, Jeff Winton, talks about why he started the non-profit organization to combat mental health challenges in rural America and if progress is being made in breaking down the stigmas that come along with the issue. 23:50 - On this week’s “To the Beat of Agriculture”, hear from a Zanesville resident whose family farm has operated since the 1800’s. Learn more about Ohio Farm Bureau State Trustee Matt Bell’s operation and his hopes for the next generation of farmers in his family. 32:20 - Farm Bureau has been working to encourage conversations about stress and mental health to help break the stigma that’s been prevalent in farming and rural communities for far too long. Ray Atkinson, Director of Communications with the American Farm Bureau Federation, discusses those efforts as well as results from a recent study about inroads being made in the mental health conversation. 42:20 - Dr. Ana Bell, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s Statewide Health, Wellness and Special Programs Director, talks about efforts being made with BWC to offer mental health support and resources to employers and employees throughout the state.

May 22 • 48m 9s

Ohio NRCS State Conservationist John Wilson

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has many divisions to assist the just as many important aspects of American agriculture. Conservation is one of the most valuable attributes of farming, as it keeps farms viable for the long term, which allows farm families to continue the tradition of raising products used for food, fuel and fiber generation after generation. This week, learn more about the agency that provides farmers with financial and technical assistance to use conservation to help the environment and agriculture succeed as we visit with Ohio’s Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. 00:00 - Newly appointed Ohio NRCS Chief John Wilson talks about stepping into his new role and some of the challenges and goals he has for his agency moving forward. 23:50 - On this week’s “To the Beat of Agriculture”, hear from the President of Ohio Farm Bureau, Bill Patterson, as he shares his story of diving into agritourism and how Farm Bureau truly begins in your community with the local farmer. 32:20 - Jay Martin, an ecological engineering professor with the CFAES Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, talks about how Ohio State will be the lead partner on a new five-year, multimillion-dollar pilot watershed project in northwestern Ohio designed to demonstrate that agricultural conservation practices—if used on 70% of the farmland in a watershed, and evaluated on a watershed scale—can help meet Lake Erie’s water quality goals. 42:20 - Jana Mussard was recently named ExploreAg and ag literacy program specialist for Ohio Farm Bureau. She talks about her new duties to oversee planning, marketing and implementation of the ExploreAg program, as well as create a comprehensive ag literacy program that aligns with the ExploreAg workforce development program.

May 15 • 48m 9s

Study Gauges Perceptions of Meat and Meat Alternatives

Throughout the U.S., there has been growing interest in alternative meat options, including plant-based and lab-grown meat. A team of researchers in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University recently surveyed 1,250 Ohio consumers and 130 Ohioans who identified themselves as members of the agricultural industry to better understand how consumers would like to learn about meat option, as well as industry perceptions regarding meat and plant-based alternatives. On this Our Ohio Weekly, we'll go over the results. 00:00 - Dr. Joy Rumble, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership at Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences highlights the findings of their meat options survey. 23:50 - On this “To the Beat of Agriculture, we’ll hear from the First Vice President of the Ohio Farm Bureau and learn how Cy Prettyman’s passion for livestock as a child turned into a 30-year (and counting) agricultural career. 32:20 - With county fair season right around the corner, Farm Credit Mid-America and Rural 1st are excited to launch the second installment of the Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer contest. The contest is designed to help junior fairs raise food donations for their local food banks through a competition between county fairs across Ohio. Farm Credit Mid-America’s Patrick Link and Jennie Schultice share the details. 42:20 - Stephanie McCloud, CEO of the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, talks about the many free resources her agency offers to those in agriculture.

May 1 • 48m 9s

America's Biofuels Industry

Last week, The Biden Administration discussed how its strategy to spur the development of homegrown biofuels is critical to expanding Americans’ options for affordable fuel in the short-term and to building real energy independence in the long-term by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. The President announced new steps to achieve that goal by increasing fuel supplies, offering more consumer choices, and reducing gasoline prices for Americans. On this Our Ohio Weekly, we talk about the role of biofuels in the President's announcement and how the future of homegrown energy looks. 00:00 - Troy Bredenkamp, Senior VP for Government and Public Affairs with the Renewable Fuels Association and Donnell Rehagen, CEO, Clean Fuels Alliance America talk about what The Biden Administration’s biofuels announcement means for their industries and what the future of ethanol and biodiesel could look like. 16:50 - 23:50 - “To the Beat of Agriculture” as we meet more Ohio Farm Bureau board members, hear from the current Treasurer of the organization, Lane Osswald, and learn about his upbringing on the farm and why he is optimistic going into the remainder of 2022. 32:20 - Legislation known as HB 95 recently passed the Senate and is one step closer to becoming law. This bill creates a tax credit to assist the next generation of farmers while helping the current generation transition their operations. State Rep. Susan Manchester was a co-sponsor of the legislation and talks about why this bill was so important to her and the role Ohio Farm Bureau played in getting it to the finish line. 42:20 - 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.

April 24 • 48m 9s

Innovation and Investment in Ohio Agriculture

Recently, food and agriculture groups released the sixth annual Feeding the Economy report, a historic farm-to-fork economic analysis revealing how these sectors influence the local and broader United States economies. The report shows that 1.5 million jobs in Ohio are tied to food and agriculture and those industries add over $10 billion dollars to the state’s bottom line annually. As those numbers continue to grow, so does the need for improved and additional infrastructure and the recruitment of more workers into these career paths. JobsOhio is a major part of those efforts and on this Our Ohio Weekly, Ty visits with the organization’s Senior Director of Food & Agribusiness, Tim Derickson. 00:00 - Tim Derickson, Senior Director of Food & Agribusiness at JobsOhio shares the agency’s mission and a recent study about Innovation and Infrastructure in Ohio. 23:50 - On this “To the Beat of Agriculture”, hear from the Representative of the 13th District, Jerry Lahmers. He represents Ohio Farm Bureau members in Carroll, Harrison, Jefferson and Tuscarawas counties on the organization’s state board of trustees. Learn about his family roots in Newcomerstown and the one goal he hopes to achieve in a 50 year career. 32:20 - Launched in 2015, The Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge was the first national business competition of its kind focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs. It is a national business competition that showcases U.S. startups developing innovative solutions that address challenges facing America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Emma Larson, Director, Industry Relations for American Farm Bureau has the details. 42:20 - 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. Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis talks about economic development and eminent domain.

April 17 • 48m 9s

The AgriPOWER Leadership Development Program

Each year, Ohio Farm Bureau hosts AgriPOWER, designed specifically for farmers and agribusiness professionals. This year-long program focuses on public policy issues confronting agriculture and the food industry such as consumer relations, regulations, energy, and trade policies. It helps individuals develop the skills necessary to become effective leaders and advocates for agriculture by learning from experts in these fields. On this Our Ohio Weekly, hear from some recent graduates of AgriPOWER and find out more about the program. 00:00 - Melinda Witten, Senior Director, Leadership Development with Ohio Farm Bureau, Christine Snowden from Franklin County and Greg Tholen from Highland County talk about the AgriPOWER program and some of the takeaways from being a part of Class XII. 23:50 - On this episode of “To the Beat of Agriculture”, meet Chris Weaver, Ohio Farm Bureau Board Trustee representing the 1st District of Defiance, Fulton, Henry and Williams Counties. He talks about his California roots and the important role Farm Bureau plays in the dairy industry. 32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau member, Paul Dorrance, recently released what might be the most honest book about starting a farm ever published. In “Farming Without Losing Your Hat”, Dorrance shares from his own real-world experiences and reminds readers again and again — that farming is not just a calling, it’s also a tough business.

April 10 • 48m 9s