Our Ohio Weekly: Recent Episodes
Town Hall Ohio
Our Ohio Weekly shares the story of Ohio agriculture and Ohio Farm Bureau. Each week, this radio program and podcast features guests who represent leaders in agriculture, government, academia and the food industry, among others. Host Ty Higgins talks to interesting guests and brings the story of Ohio agriculture to life by featuring Farm Bureau members and staff who are working hard all across Ohio.
From conversations at the Ohio State Fair to meeting with lawmakers during August recess and preparing for the midterm election, this is a critical time to make Ohio agriculture’s voice heard. Brad Bales, senior director of state and national policy, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of grassroots advocacy, the impact of sharing your story and why staying engaged matters.
Whether you're a farmer, small business owner or simply looking for health coverage options, Ohio Farm Bureau Health Care Solutions offers programs designed with members in mind. Trevor Kirkpatrick, director of health services, Jill Clinger of the Jill Clinger Agency and Aiden Andrako of Andrako Insurance Consultants discuss available options through Ohio Farm Bureau and how they are helping Ohioans access quality, affordable health care.
The new imAGine Ag exhibit is debuting at the 2026 Ohio State Fair, giving fairgoers an immersive, hands-on look at modern agriculture. Marlene Eick, senior director of leadership development for Ohio Farm Bureau, joins the podcast to share how the project came together, what visitors can expect and why the experience is an important investment in agricultural literacy.
The United States’ decision not to commit to extending USMCA has created new uncertainty for North American trade and the farmers who rely on it. Dr. Ian Sheldon, professor and Andersons Chair of Agricultural Marketing, Trade and Policy at The Ohio State University, joins the podcast to explain the history of the agreement, what this decision means and why its future matters for Ohio agriculture.
As Ohio prepares for the upcoming gubernatorial race, Ohio Farm Bureau is committed to helping our members stay informed on candidates and their platforms on Ohio agriculture and rural communities.On this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Dr. Amy Acton to discuss her potential priorities for Ohio, including agriculture, economic development, workforce development and the realities facing farm families.This episode was recorded on 06/26/2026.
What happens when farmers are put in the driver's seat of research? On this episode, Ohio farmers Evan Beery and Mark Hoorman join Ohio State University researcher Doug Jackson-Smith to discuss From the Ground Up, a farmer-led project exploring how conservation practices perform under real-world conditions.
How much will a Fourth of July cookout cost this year? American Farm Bureau economist Dr. Faith Parum joins to break down the 2026 Fourth of July Market Basket Survey, discuss Ohio-specific results and explain what's driving food prices from the farm to the grocery store.
Moore Law continues our conversations on land transactions, discussing these types of deals and what landowners should know before making a decision.
For many Ohioans, navigating life's challenges depends on having access to the right support. On this episode, we're joined by the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation and Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio to discuss the role Legal Aid plays in serving communities and connecting Ohioans with critical legal resources.
As the county fair season gets underway, we chat with Frank Fraas, executive director for Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association, to discuss Ohio's fair racing season, the growth of harness racing and recent efforts to connect young people with the industry.
When the Make America Healthy Again Commission released its initial report, it raised real concerns across agriculture and what the proposed policies could mean for America’s food system. A year later, the conversation looks much different and farmers now have a seat at the table. On this episode, Kari Barbic of American Farm Bureau joins to discuss the MAHA timeline, how farmers stepped in and what comes next in the MAHA conversation.
May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, and while farmers are known for their resilience and ability to overcome challenges, there is still a stigma around mental health in many rural communities. Guests from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation and the Agricultural Navigator Program join the podcast to discuss the challenges facing farm families, the importance of support systems and the resources available across rural Ohio.
As Nationwide celebrates 100 years, we sit down with CEO Kirt Walker to talk about the company’s century-long history, its partnership with Ohio Farm Bureau and how the organization continues to evolve while staying grounded in the people and communities it serves.
Labor remains a top challenge facing agriculture. On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by FieldClock and Great Lakes Ag Labor Services on how their services help lighten the load for business owners when it comes to regulation, payroll management and day to day operations.
Moore Law about their landowner advocacy, the importance of experienced representation and how landowners can protect their interests when navigating major business decisions tied to their land.
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and with spring planting underway, rural road safety takes on even greater importance. On this episode, we talk with Laramie Sandquist of Nationwide Agribusiness about the risks distracted driving poses and the importance of sharing the road.
As Ohio prepares for the upcoming gubernatorial primary, Ohio Farm Bureau is committed to helping our members stay informed on candidates and their platforms on Ohio agriculture and rural communities.On this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Vivek Ramaswamy to discuss his potential priorities for Ohio, including agriculture, economic development, workforce development and the realities facing farm families. (This episode was recorded on 03/18/2026)As a bipartisan organization, Ohio Farm Bureau extended an open invitation to all leading gubernatorial candidates to share their perspectives on agriculture, and we look forward to future conversations.
ExploreAg directly connects students to career opportunities in agriculture. Katie Share joins the podcast to break down what the program is, what's new for 2026, and why it plays a key role in building Ohio's future workforce.
A shortage of large animal veterinarians is raising concerns for farmers, livestock care and the food supply chain. Dr. Leah Dorman with Ohio State’s Protect OHIO program joins the podcast to discuss the issue and the work underway to build the next generation of rural veterinarians.
In celebration of National and Ohio Agriculture Month, Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge joins the podcast to discuss efforts to support and promote Ohio's No. 1 industry.
USDA Rural Development's Value-Added Producer Grant program helps farmers create new products, expand markets and strengthen rural economies. Charles Tassell, state director for USDA Rural Development joins the podcast to talk about the program and the ways the agency is working to support Ohioans.
Grain bin accidents remain one of the most serious safety risks on the farm. Laramie Sandquist, senior associate vice president of risk management for Nationwide Agribusiness, joins the podcast to discuss how Nationwide is working with farmers, equipping local fire departments and raising awareness around grain bin safety.
Don Jones, State Executive Director for the USDA Farm Service Agency, joins the podcast to discuss the steps the administration has taken over the past year to strengthen agriculture and support Ohio farmers.
Sharing your story matters when it comes to shaping policy. John Newton, Ph.D., vice president of public policy and economic analysis at American Farm Bureau, joins the podcast to discuss why member engagement is critical at the state and national levels. Craig Grooms, president and CEO of Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives, also joins to discuss data centers coming to Ohio and how co-ops are planning for the increased demand while protecting members and consumers.
Water quality has long been a priority for Ohio Farm Bureau, and through the work of farmers and agricultural partners, we are seeing measurable progress in Ohio's water resources. Jay Martin, Ph.D., professor for Ohio State CFAES, and Jordan Hoewischer, Ohio Farm Bureau director of water quality and research, join the podcast to break down the recent research and advocacy efforts helping drive that progress.
Not all risks on the farm can be seen. On this episode, Laura Mattimoe of Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation joins the podcast to explain how common gases pose an unseen risk in agriculture and share practical ways to help keep you, your family and your operation safe.
Moore Law joins to share tips and key things couples and farm families should keep in mind. Nick Anderson, vice president of ag claims, operations and transformation at Nationwide, also joins to talk about how Nationwide is helping protect farmers during the freezing temperatures.
Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences is opening the Multispecies Animal Learning Complex this month. Dr. Graham Cochran joins the podcast to share what the state-of-the-art facility means for hands-on learning and opportunities for students and STEM education. Brian Glenn of the American Farm Bureau also discusses farm programs and advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C.
Brad Bales, senior director of state and national policy joins the podcast to recap how Ohio Farm Bureau advocated for member-set policies at American Farm Bureau’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Voting Delegates.
Ohio Farm Bureau made a strong showing at the 107th American Farm Bureau Convention, with nine counties featured in the County Activities of Excellence Showcase and three members competing in Young Farmer and Rancher events. On this episode, the competitors discuss their respective contests, how they prepared and what this national experience means to them.
Noise is part of everyday life on the farm, but over time, it can quietly take a toll on hearing. On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation to talk about noise-induced hearing loss and where the biggest risks show up during a typical workday.
Scams targeting agribusinesses, landowners and consumers have evolved in recent years. Leah Hetrick joins the podcast to share ways to stay safe and spot potential threats. We also talk with John Bode, president and CEO of the Corn Refiners Association, about how corn refining is benefiting Ohio’s economy.
Ohio Farm Bureau recently held its 107th Annual Meeting. Adam Sharp, executive vice president, joins the podcast to share key highlights and a look ahead to 2026. We also hear from Laramie Sandquist, associate vice president of Risk Management for Nationwide Agribusiness with tips on staying safe on the road during the holiday season.
Adele Flynn, treasurer of Ohio Farm Bureau, joins the podcast to discuss her recent trip to the White House and the conversations had on long-term relief to farm country. Dr. Ian Sheldon of The Ohio State University also provides an update on trade and tariffs.
The Importance of Policy Development and a Winter Energy Outlook by Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast
On this episode of the Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, we talk with Nationwide's Commercial Agribusiness team and the Hummel Group about how they support today's farms and agribusinesses. We also chat with Dr. Ian Sheldon, professor and Andersons chair of agricultural marketing, trade and policy at Ohio State’s Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics about the 2025 Agricultural Outlook and Policy Conference.
The countdown is on for Ohio Farm Bureau's 2026 Winter Leadership Experience! Get the inside scoop on next year's conference as we hear from keynote speaker Coach Kiah, and chairs of the Young Agricultural Professionals Committee, John and Kacy Hummel.
The farm economy has reached a crisis point. On this episode of the podcast, we're joined by Brad Bales, senior director of state and national policy, to discuss recent headlines and Farm Bureau's advocacy efforts.
On this episode of the podcast, we explore how recruiting and empowering young leaders is a priority at Ohio Farm Bureau. We chat with a member of the Young Ag Professionals Committee about the upcoming Winter Leadership Experience and sit down with Executive Vice President Adam Sharp to discuss a recent trip to Washington, D.C., for YAP members and the current AgriPOWER class.
There is a lot of uncertainty for Ohio farm families right now. Margins are thin, markets and the weather are unpredictable, and input costs keep climbing. On this episode of the Ohio Farm Bureau podcast, we hear from Ohio State's beef cattle and livestock marketing field specialist on current market trends, learn about Nationwide's renewed focus on protecting cattle operations and talk with American Farm Bureau's communications manager about keeping the story of farmers front and center.
As the campaign trail for Ohio’s next governor gets underway, we talk with Vivek Ramaswamy and Dr. Amy Acton at the 2025 Farm Science Review. Both gubernatorial candidates share their early views on agriculture and a few other priority issues for Ohio voters.
Over the course of the county fair season, the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association will have raced at 66 fairground tracks, helping to bring in over $2.7 billion to Ohio's bottom line and accounting for 10,000 jobs across the state. Get an update on the organization on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast and find out what the future holds for Ohio's standardbred industry.
For the past seven years, this podcast and various communications of Ohio Farm Bureau has had a steady voice guiding conversations, asking the important questions and connecting members to the general public. That voice belongs to Ty Higgins, former senior director of communications and media relations at Ohio Farm Bureau and incoming general manager of Ohio Ag Net and Ohio’s Country Journal. He joins us to look back on his tenure, share some fun memories and give some insight to where he’s headed next.
One term we don't hear very often in agriculture is what is ergonomics, but it is an important aspect to keeping farmers and farm workers safe from injuries that may take them off the farm for an extended period of time. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, learn about ergonomics and get some tips on how to best utilize it from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation. Plus, what does the forecast look like for harvest and beyond? Find out from the state's Climatologist.
With the downturn in the farm economy, many farmers are looking for new opportunities for off-farm income. Agribusinesses such as Nationwide are seeking these individuals, who bring industry knowledge and experience gained from their work on the farm, to join their teams. On this episode of the Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, we continue our series on exploring off-farm careers with Eric Brown, a Huron County farmer who also serves as a financial advisor for Legacy Capital Advisors.
No two succession plans look the same, but there are some guiding principles that can be used to make them all successful. Find out what some of the priciples are and how they are being used by Wright and Moore on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
When it comes to the economics of agriculture, we talk a lot about market prices, input costs, land values and cash rent rates, but what is the state of Ag Credit, an organization that serve 18 counties in Northern Ohio? Find out on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, get a preview of this year's Farm Science Review.
If you are a farmer or small business in the agricultural sector, you need health coverage options that fit your unique needs and budget. That’s why the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation has taken action to help save on healthcare expenses. The Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan can offer rate stability and potential savings for Ohio farmers and small businesses. Learn more about the plan and new options coming for farm families on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, with the harvest season quickly approaching, many farmers are also preparing for propane season. Propane, or LP gas, is a versatile fuel for farmers, not just to dry stored crops in the fall, but throughout the year. Get propane handling safety tips from Nationwide.
The hot summer months can put a strain on our energy system, especially when everyone cranks their A/C for a little bit of relief from sweltering temps. This has been an active summer season for energy load control and a busy “peak alert” season. What are peak alerts, when do they happen and why do they matter? We visit with the CEO of Ohio's Electric Cooperatives on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, hay season is in full swing. Still fresh in producers' minds is the 2024 drought and the impact it had on their operations. A Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage policy is one way to help mitigate unforeseen weather events to help protect your operation. Learn more from an expert with Farm Credit Mid-America.
As the 2025 growing season winds down, farmers are paying attention to the markets, weather and policies in Ohio and Washington that will directly impact their farms and their families. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, hear what experts in all of those areas told farmers at a recent Ohio Soybean Hometown Tour stop.
The burden of estate taxes on family farms has been eased by permanently increasing the federal exemption, allowing more farmers to pass their agricultural legacy on to future generations without facing significant tax liabilities. Learn more about the positive implications this has for farm families on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, at Ohio State’s CFAES, students learning about agribusiness law are gaining the skills to navigate those challenges without needing to become lawyers themselves. Find out why this angle of education is important for the future of Ohio agriculture.
The second annual Wyandot County Premier Farmer Field Day, held in early August, featured planter demonstrations from local dealers, precision agriculture, local agribusinesses and details about valuable resources for farm families involved with Ohio Farm Bureau. Get a recap of this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast Special.
There are over 600 agricultural businesses throughout the state seeing real benefits through The Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan, which offers potential savings for Ohio farmers and small businesses with 1-50 employees. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast we welcome the top broker in the state for this particular plan to share why members are excited about this option and some of the not-so-common benefits that he’s helped members take advantage of through joining.
What do leather polish, elevator lubricant, roof protectant, chain saw oil, fire suppressant, tofu and biodiesel have in common? They can all be made using Ohio soybeans thanks to the research being done by the Ohio Soybean Council. Now, you can add asphalt sealant to that list. Find out how a new product is being used by local governments to make roads last longer, taxpayer dollars go farther and soybeans more valuable on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
Modern agriculture is now powered by more than just machinery; it’s driven by data. And that data, collected through precision farming tools, has real value. Find out more about the use of data in today's agriculture from Ohio State's College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, results of a recent survey showed drivers have a common belief that congested city streets are more treacherous than rural routes. Find out how the data tells a different story and what Nationwide is doing to make rural roads safer.
Farm Credit Mid-America’s Growing Forward™ program for young, beginning and small farmers provides this important segment of customers with access to sound and constructive credit through individualized programs and products. Learn more about it on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, 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. Get the details from Ohio Farm Bureau's Leah Curtis.
As many Ohio farmers endure a third year of pressure on net farm income, a lack of market clarity, and increased commodity competition globally, what priority sustainability initiatives and programs should farmers have in their business plan? Find out coming up on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
After months of grassroots policy work by Ohio Farm Bureau members and countless trips to the Statehouse by the organization’s members and state staff, Ohio agriculture faired well in the 2025-2026 state budget. Find out what is in (and not in) the over 3,000 page, $60 billion budget that will have implications, both good and not-so-good, for farmers and agribusiness professionals in this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast Special, as host Ty Higgins chats with OFBF’s Director of State Policy, Evan Callicoat.
Ohio soybeans are a significant export to South Korea, particularly for food-grade and non-GMO varieties used in products like tofu, soy milk, and soy sauce. Ohio farmers and the Ohio Soybean Council actively engage with Korean buyers to promote and strengthen trade relationships. Hear about the highlights of a recent trade mission on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, with skyrocketing cattle prices, many producers are taking a closer look at risk management. Get tips to protect your risk in a volatile market.
Does your succession plan pencil out financially? Building a bridge between an attourney and a lender is key to having a viable answer to that question. Learn more coming up. Plus, working off the farm has become somewhat common in Ohio agriculture. In fact, nearly half of Ohio producers spend the majority of their year working a job away from the farm. That presents many opportunities for farmers to be part of the agriculture community in a different way. Coming up, we continue our series that explores options that may be available to those looking for a new career path in addition to working on the farm.
June is National Safety Month, an ideal time for employers and workers in the agriculture industry to refocus on elevating safety measures. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, learn about a new program from Nationwide to help employers identify and close potential gaps in their worker safety plans.
The 2025 County Fair season is almost underway and that means livestock shows, deep fried food and plenty of harness racing action. Get an update on what to expect at the county fair tracks this year from the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association. Plus, there are quite a few items that Ohio Farm Bureau is keeping an eye on when it comes to policies being developed in Washington. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, find out about legislation in D.C. that will have a direct impact on farmers across Ohio.
Digital agriculture is transforming farm management thanks to the work of Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences’ on-farm research program, eFields. Learn how on this Ohio Farm Bureau Pocast. Plus, summer brings dangerous working conditions for farmers. Get some very helpful tips from Ohio's Bureau's of Workers' Compensation when it comes to combatting heat stress.
Unleashing American energy has been part of President Trump’s first 100 days in office and Ohio’s Electric Cooperative representatives were on hand last month as the President signed some executive orders to solidify those efforts. Hear from their CEO Craig Grooms about what these changes mean for the state's electric grid on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
In a recent survey conducted by Nationwide, it was revealed that a staggering 65% of farmers do not have a plan to manage or mitigate risks, including severe weather. Learn about the growing complexities of farming risks, as well as how to assess your farm's storm preparedness on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, there is a lot happening on the policy front at the Ohio Statehouse that impact agriculture. Get an update from Ohio Farm Bureau's policy team.
The food and beverage industry is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements, workforce challenges, changing consumer preferences and new regulatory requirements. What challenges and opportunities do these shifts pose for Ohio farmers? We find out on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast from Rebecca Singer, president and CEO of CIFT. Plus, Ohio State's College of Veterinary Medicine is requesting funding in the state's biennial budget to help launch the Protect One Health in Ohio initiative. Find out more from the College's Dean, Dr. Rustin Moore.
The transfer of assets is often talked about when it comes to creating a succession plan, but the trasfer of knowledge is equally as important. Get experts tips on successful succession plans and the timing for moving assets to the next generation from Wright and Moore on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, we talk a lot about CAUV as a farmland preservation tool, but there are some other tools in the law that landowners can consider. Learn about Ag Districts from Ohio Farm Bureau's legal expert.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recent decision to ban Red No. 3 may leave some food manufacturers searching for safer alternatives. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, learn about groundbreaking research from The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) offers a promising solution. Plus, if you are looking for a unique camp experiece for your kids this summer, get the details of why Ohio Farm Bureau's ExploreAg camps might be the perfect fit.
Growing Ohio’s next generation of leaders, scientists, and entrepreneurs is the purpose of GrowNextGen, a program sponsored by the Ohio Soybean Council. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, find out all about the program that provides free, STEM resources for Ohio teachers to engage and educate their students through the science of agriculture. Plus, learn about the Golden Owl Award and meet an ag teacher who was awarded with the prestigious honor.
Without a doubt, lower commodity prices have impacted trends in farm finances. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, get an update on challenges borrowers are facing in 2025 from experts at Ag Credit and find out how the current state of agriculture is affecting the organization.
Trade is a hot topic with a lot of uncertainty. Trade policy decisions being made in Washington will impact partners around the globe and U.S. farmers directly. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, learn about a Market Intel report from American Farm Bureau that explores different topics related to agricultural trade, including the potential impacts of trade policy changes.
From the farm bill to tariffs and farmland preservation to taxes, there wasn't a lack of topics for county Farm Bureau Presidents from across Ohio to talk about on this year's trip to the Nation's Capital. Get a full recap of their trek to D.C. on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, the 2025 Ohio Safety Congress & Expo runs April 16-18 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Get all of the details from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation.
With the downturn in the farm economy, many farmers are looking for new opportunities for off-farm income. Agribusinesses such as Nationwide are seeking these types of individuals, who bring industry knowledge and experience gained from their work on the farm, to add to their teams. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, we kick off a series that will explore options that may be available to those looking for a new career path. Plus, what does retirement look like for those who have dedicated their lives to farming and how soon should plans be in place. We visit with an expert from Ohio State's College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences about the prospects of retirement.
With a nearly 30% decline in net farm income over the past 2 years, the agriculture sector continues to face a volatile economy. Add to that the stresses of an outdated farm bill, trade disputes and the questionable outlook for estate tax laws and the uncertainties abound for farmers. Meanwhile, development pressures from many different sources threaten the availability of farmland and the Buckeye State’s rich farming heritage. The 2025 Ohio Agriculture and Rural Communities Action Plan provides a blueprint for policymakers and Ohio Farm Bureau members to bolster Ohio’s agriculture industry and our rural communities. Find out what's in the plan on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast and get an update from Nationwide about the possible sunsetting on important tax laws that could directly impact Ohio's farm families. Nationwide and its representatives do not give legal or tax advice. An attorney or tax advisor should be consulted for answers to specific questions.
More than 50% of Ohio’s soybean crop is exported each year, making soybeans Ohio’s largest agricultural export. Finding more places to send Ohio-grown soybeans is one of the missions of the Ohio Soybean Council and some Ohio soy representatives just returned from a trip to a country that could offer a great opportunity for soybean farmers – Ghana. Plus, pig farmers could be seeing some profits in 2025, which would be a very welcomed shift from years of losses to the bottom-line. Get an Ohio pork industry update on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
Agriculture is a labor-intensive and stressful environment and Ohio Farm Bureau is working on a solution to close the gap in the healthcare coverage and overall well-being of Ohio Farm Bureau members who go without coverage due to the lack of affordable options. Ohio Farm Bureau is seeking a way to offer members access to a more affordable healthcare option. Learn about legislation that would create Farm Bureau Health Plans and how that could benefit you and your family on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
From apples to peaches and asparagus zucchini, Ohio offers quite a wide variety of fruits and vegetables grown across the state. Meet some grower leaders from the Ohio Produce Growers and Marketers Association on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast to get an industry update.
There is new leadership at the Ohio Agribusiness Association. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, get to know the new President and CEO, Melinda Witten, as she discusses her vision for the organization and some of the goals she looks to achieve in 2025 and beyond.
When we think about uses for soybeans, many point to livestock feed, biofuels or even tofu. Truth is, the list is quite extensive and is getting even longer thanks to the work being done in a Delaware, Ohio lab. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, learn about the latest experiments being conducted at the Airable Lab, with the support of the Ohio Soybean Council, to create even bigger potential for a little bean. Plus, get a full recap from the 2025 American Farm Bureau Convention in San Antonio.
Farmers face unpredictable challenges from changing weather to fluctuating markets. Expiring tax laws may add to their uncertainty later this year. In fact, if the tax cuts expire, farmers will face more than a $9-billion tax increase between income taxes and estate taxes. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, we visit with experts from Wright and Moore to learn more about the 2025 estate tax outlook and what different possible scenarios could mean for farm families. Plus, what is the farm income outlook for this year? A specialist on the matter from Ohio State weighs in.
There were some major policy wins for agriculture at the Federal and state levels as 2024 came to a close. Find out how Farm Bureau members helped to push through a farm bill extension and disaster assistance on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, more Ohio fire departments will be receiving life saving equipment for grain entrapments from Nationwide. Find out how this initiative is making a big difference and how to get your local fire department involved.
As farmers plan for the upcoming growing season, many are facing hardships and financial strain caused by the recent drought. In an effort to lessen the burdens caused by these conditions, the Ohio Treasurer’s office will be offering some much-needed assistance for counties most affected by the drought. Find out more on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, energy is a major driver of agricultural outputs. What is the outlook for energy prices for 2025. Get some insights from Ohio State's Dr. Brent Sohngen.
This year's Young Ag Professionals Winter Leadership Experience is open to Ohio Farm Bureau members of all ages! This gives attendees the opportunity to invite key decision makers from your farm or business to learn alongside you, network with agricultural leaders, build your personal and professional skills, and engage where new perspectives meet shared goals. That will be especially important for those who want to dive into the succession planning conversation with Dr. Ron Hanson. Get a preview of those sessions on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
The 106th Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting was the setting for the first ever LIVE Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast! Guest Adam Sharp, executive vice president of the organization, shared the challenges and successes of 2024 and what Farm Bureau will be doing to help keep members successful throughout 2025 and beyond. Plus, hear the debut of "Farmer Smiles", a song from the early 1900's that made a comeback at the recent meeting of Ohio Farm Bureau members in Columbus.
Farmers know the weather forecast better than anyone else, so when it comes to cold weather, farmers may be thinking about the farm and their livestock, but are they thinking about themselves? Staying safe outside in winter conditions starts with prevention. Get tips on staying safe this winter from experts with the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
A newer law about the termination of agricultural leases needs a little more teeth, according to some delegates at the 106th Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. An attorney from Wright and Moore discusses what he thinks is missing from the law and what members voted to do about it on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, state Young Agriculture Professionals leaders give a preview of what to expect at February's Winter Leadership Experience in Sandusky, Ohio, which is open to people of all ages.
With an eye toward reducing the estimated 20,000 yearly agricultural fires in the United States, Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau are offering members thermal imaging cameras, a new, free tool that can pinpoint potential fire hazards on the farm. Get all the details on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, what does the labor outlook hold for 2025. An expert on the matter from Ohio State's College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences has some insights.
A new assessment report has been released regarding the reliability of electricity for the upcoming winter season. How will Ohioans fare should we have an extreme cold event that will put a heavy strain on the power grid and what can we do to prepare for brutal conditions? Find out from the experts at Buckeye Power and Ohio's Electric Cooperatives on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, the Young Ag Professionals Winter Leadership Experience is back in Sandusky this year and everyone can take part, no matter your age bracket. Get the details from the Y.A.P. state committee.
Farm Credit Mid-America and Rural 1st are excited to unveil the results of the 2024 Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer contest, designed to help junior fairs raise food donations for their local food banks through a competition between county fairs across Ohio. Get the details of this record breaking year for the initiative on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, 8 million acres in Ohio are in forestry and the industry accounts for over $30 billion to our state's bottom line. Get an overview from the Ohio Forestry Association and find out about some of the things we take for granted everyday that come from the forestry industry.
The Ohio Agricultural Mental Health Alliance, an organization made up of state agencies and agriculture groups focused on mental health in agriculture, has released the results of a survey created to ensure Ohio’s farmers, families, and communities are better equipped to deal with stress. What are the common stressors in Ohio agriculture and how is mental health perceived in rural Ohio? Get some of the results of this survey and find out how it will shape the conversation around farm stress and mental health on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, the Buckeye Shepherd's Symposium is coming up. Get the highlights of this year's event and find out how to register.
Twenty Ohio Farm Bureau leaders are serving on the 2024 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. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, one of the members of this year's committee, Columbiana County Farm Bureau leader Stacy Irwin talks about the policy development process and some of the topics that were discussed. Plus, 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.
Recently, Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters from The Ohio State University, Wilmington College and Wright State Lake Campus 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.
With the help of funding from the Rural Broadband Expansion Program, more Ohioans are getting connected with high-speed internet. Thanks to efforts from Ohio State Extension, that progress is happening at a faster rate. Learn about an accelerator program helping communities tap into state funding and tap into more reliable internet. Plus, what goes into a good farm estate plan? Starting early is one key aspect, but there are other factors to keep in mind. Get answers to your estate planning questions from Nationwide on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
With Election Day just around the corner, there are some big decisions to be made at the polls. The Farm Bureau-AGGPAC Election Guide has been created once again to serve as an introduction to the people hoping to earn our trust and vote to be our leaders at the federal, state and local levels. Find out about the process of putting this Election Guide together on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, how secure are the elections here is Ohio and what is being done to make sure your vote is safe and your voice is heard? We'll hear from Ohio's Secretary of State, Frank LaRose for those answers.
As farmers get into the heart of harvest season, they are starting to make their purchasing plans for the 2025 growing season. An expert from Farm Credit Mid-America has some advice for farmers making those decisions and offers some ways to save some money on next year's inputs on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, 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, including Ohio Farm Bureau, are getting involved.
The Ohio Soybean Council invests in research that provides technologies and information that will increase profit opportunities for Ohio farmers. One of those research projects is to help farmers manage Soybean Cyst Nematode, or SCN, which is the leading cause of soybean yield loss in North America. Hear about the latest SCN research and how farmers can get free tests for their fields. Plus, it is a busy time of year for the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association and we will get an update from OHHA on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
Time is running out for Congress to pass a modernized farm bill this year. What is the current status of new farm bill work and what are the best and worst case scenarios as the current bill is set to expire? Find out on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, how much money could you save on your utility bills with Ohio Farm Bureau's Energy Savings Program? Learn about the easy process of getting your electric and natural gas bills reviewed to see if there are better options.
They say never mix family and business, but sometimes in agriculture that is easier said than done. Family matters can get messy, especially when a new member joins that family. What are they entitled to, how are those details ironed out and why is the process so important? We cover that with Wright and Moore on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, power needs are increasing and power resources are becoming more diverse. What does that all mean for energy use in rural Ohio and beyond in the near and distant future? The next leader of Ohio Electric Cooperatives weighs in with his thoughts.
On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast Special, we cover many aspects of the drought that the majority of Ohio is dealing with, including the programs and assistance available to farmers being impacted by the extremely dry conditions, what the short and long term weather forecasts look like, tips on preventing field fires during harvest season and why keeping your mental wellness top-of-mind is so important during these historically challenging times.Guests: Dr. John Patterson, Director of Ohio Farm Service Agency Dr. Aaron Wilson, State Climatologist for Ohio Derek Hommer, Risk Management Consultant and Agronomy Specialist with Nationwide Agribusiness Brice Acton, Ross County grain farmer
Do you know what your Carbon Intensity Score is? Do you know what Carbon Intensity is in the first place? Find out why you should and how knowing your Carbon Intensity Score could be a vital part of your farm's success on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
Grain inventory loans are financial products designed specifically for agribusinesses. They enable farmers to leverage their inventory as collateral for a loan, providing an alternative source of working capital. Find out more about grain inventory loans, as well as how the AgLink program is helping farmers find cheaper money and get an outlook for interest rates heading into the harvest season with Ag Credit on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, learn about a new resource for Ohio Farm Bureau members that will guide them through everything energy related here in the Buckeye State.
This year's corn and soybean harvest season is just weeks away and just as important to making sure your equipment is ready for the task of long days of grueling work of bringing in the crop, is getting yourself ready for a safe and healthy harvest. Get some tips to keep yourself protected this fall from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation and find out how they can assist you during the harvest and beyond. Plus, find out everything we have planned for this year's Farm Science Review in Ohio Farm Bureau's building at the corner of Beef and Friday, including experts from the new AgTech Innovation Hub at Ohio State on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
There are a lot of exciting things happening right here in Ohio as far as finding demand of soybeans is concerned, but finding customers for Ohio grown soybeans across the globe is always a focus for the Ohio Soybean Council. Some farm visits by trade teams here in the Buckeye State emphasizes the importance of the efforts of selling soybeans on a global scale. Learn more on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, in recent years, more farmers and agribusiness owners are forming Limited Liability Companies (LLCs). Learn the benefits and possible downsides of an LLC from an expert from Nationwide.
The Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan was created to help the agricultural sector and related businesses address the high cost of medical care and promote a healthier Ohio. Hear from one business who uses the plan and is seeing better results for his employees and his bottom-line. Plus, how much farmland has Ohio lost to development and what does that mean to the future of the industry? A new study from Ohio State has some answers and they will share those results on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
The Current Agricultural Use Value program, better know as CAUV, was established in 1973 after Ohio Farm Bureau campaigned for a constitutional amendment to have farmland taxed for its agricultural value, rather than its fair market value. The July/August 2024 issue of Ohio Farm Bureau's Our Ohio magazine takes a deeper dive into a program that impacts nearly all members across the state and we will cover the highlights of the magazine on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
When separations are granted through the legal system, it typically means the end of a marriage. But sometimes those unfortunate circumstances happen between siblings who don't want to work together any longer. Making legal plans before a new farm partnership of any kind starts is the topic of discussion with Wright and Moore for this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
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, $5,000 in funding to help bring new opportunities to their programs. Meet this year's winner on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, farm transitions and succession planning are two important issues for agriculture and the viability of the future of Ohio’s #1 industry. New research was just conducted on the topic by Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Find out what the preliminary data tells us.
There is a lab right here is Ohio that is equipped to research and develop new products that utilize soy-based feedstocks to solve real world challenges. Find out all about the Airable Research Lab in Delaware, along with how and why it provides research of soy-based materials that are in the early stages of development. Plus, the deadline to sign up for the next AgriPOWER class, that helps to take Ohio agriculture leaders to the next level, is fast approaching. Find out what's involved and how to apply on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
The Ohio State Fair is coming up in just a few weeks. When you get there you will notice quite a few changes this year as the fairgrounds will have some new looks this year, as well as new leadership. Meet the new executive director of the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair and learn how the major renovations are going on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
Although agriculture is different from state to state, many of the same challenges farmers face across the country hit close to home here in the Buckeye State. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, executives from Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania Farm Bureaus share what their members are being challenged with on the policy front and why their bond with America's #1 farm insurer, Nationwide, is important for their organization on many different levels.
The Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative (OACI) rolled out the findings of its 2023 Assessment Survey Report on practices being used by farmers in the Sandusky watershed to manage water and nutrients. The assessment results show ample conservation efforts, as well as areas for improvement and continued farmer education and resourcing by OACI. Find out more about the report on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
According to a recent survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation, 61% of farmers and farm workers responded that they were experiencing more mental health challenges than they were from one year ago. There’s not a moment to waste on your farm. That’s exactly why the Ohio Agriculture Mental Health Alliance, which includes Ohio Farm Bureau, is asking you to take a confidential survey to help your community and others like it. Find out how you can take part on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, learn about the 988 Lifeline and how it is helping Ohioans from all walks of life overcome crisis situations.
New research conducted by Nationwide shows that both consumers and commercial drivers feel roads are more dangerous today than just a year ago. To help drivers in the agriculture, food and fuel sectors, Nationwide has launched a new driver safety campaign – Drive the 5 – to remind drivers and their employers of five critical principles that every driver should adopt before getting behind the wheel. Find out more about the program on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, if you show livestock, some rules have been updated to help add clarity and simplicity for livestock exhibitions. Ohio Farm Bureau's Director of Livestock Policy, Roger High has all the details.
A recent study found that 40% of all counties in the United States have less than one lawyer per 1,000 residents. Why is that a problem and what is being done to give rural Ohioans more legal representation? Find out on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast from experts at Wright and Moore.
The 2024 County Fair season is almost underway and that means livestock shows, deep fried food and plenty of harness racing action. Get an update on what to expect at the county fair tracks this year from the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, A new license is available for farmers to use in their direct marketing businesses. Find out more about the “Low Risk Mobile Retail Food Establishment” license and how farmers will benefit from it.
All-Terrain Vehicles and Utility Task Vehicles are versatile workhorses on today’s farms and they’re more popular than ever for rural recreation. They’re also extremely powerful and potentially dangerous, especially for young and inexperienced riders who are unaware of safe riding practices. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, learn about the new Let's Champion Rider Safety initiative from Nationwide to spread awareness about ATV and UTV safety. Plus, find out about Ohio State Extension's new Food Business Central online course for those looking to sell their goods to local consumers.
The Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan has been updated to give sole proprietors access to more rate stability and a smart solution that offers potential savings on health care. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, hear from a northwest Ohio farmer as he shares how the Health Benefits Plan has been impactful to him as a sole proprietor. Plus, 2024 marks 10 years of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program. Learn about the programs success and what the next 10 years may bring for the water quality initiative.
A new EPA rule that would further impact the reliability and affordability of electricity to Ohioans was recently released. Find out what the new rule demands and what next steps could be to change its detrimental course from the CEO of Ohio's Electric Cooperatives on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, Direct-to-consumer marketing has become a greater source of income for many of our members in recent years. The Census of Agriculture revealed that farms using local and regional markets to sell their goods have more than doubled between 2017 and 2022. The latest Our Ohio magazine has great stories about direct marketers and resources to help them succeed. Find out more about the newest issue of Our Ohio and the new Small-Scale Food Business Guide created for Ohio Farm Bureau members.
With an estimated 20,000 agricultural fires each year, the need for fire safety awareness and planning has never been greater. Nationwide is helping its agriculture customers take a proactive approach to fire defense through a new partnership. Get the details on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, slips, trips and falls make up the majority of all general industry accidents in the United States. Falls are almost always preventable, and adequately preparing for the task ahead helps to ensure that tasks and activities are completed safely. Learn about common fall hazards around the farm and how to prevent them from an expert with Ohio's Bureau of Workers' Compensation.
Its a podcast about podcasting! Whether you are a guest on a podcast or just so happen to host one, that media platform is growing rapidly. At a recent Target Training held in Columbus by American Farm Bureau, participants got some podcasting insights from an Ohio agriculture expert on the topic. Ohio Farm Bureau Organization Director and Stock Talk Podcast host, Trevor Kirkpatrick shares what works for him on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
Get prepared for more of the severe weather Ohio may see as things heat up with tips from the state climatologist, Ohio State's Dr. Aaron Wilson on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, every day, in a thousand quiet moments, in gestures big & small, our members volunteer their time, their money, and their bountiful harvest, to care for those in need in every corner of the country. Learn how volunteers also play a major role in Ohio Farm Bureau's success as we celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week from the organization's vice president of membership, Paul Lyons.
The Ohio Beef Council has unveiled their new Culinary Studio to show consumers how to prepare meals that include beef. Get a glimpse of the kitchen and learn about some of the guests they will be inviting on the Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, Farm Credit Mid-America and Rural 1st are excited to announce the return of the Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer contest, designed to help junior fairs raise food donations for their local food banks through a competition between county fairs across Ohio. Find out more about it and how to get involved.
By this point in the season, Ohio has been through at least 3 fake springs, but things look to be warming up and the grass is greening up. What should you be thinking about even before you get on a mower? Get some safety tips from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, Ag Credit has just divvied out their patronage for 2024. Since its inception, the program has paid out more that $444 million. Find out what farmers-members are getting back and learn about the organization's Mission Fund.
According to the latest Census of Agriculture, Ohio lost 300,000 acres of farmland between 2017 and 2022. How can we harness the economic and energy development Ohio is realizing, while still maintaining the state's agrarian heritage and its #1 industry. As we find out from Andrew Wecker of Wright and Moore on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, the issue brings with it many challenges and opportunities. Plus, farm bill talks are happening, but action doesn't seem to be a priority. Find out why it is for Sunrise Cooperative as we visit with CEO George Secor.
Without a doubt, we live in a global society. So, it’s important to visit other parts of the world to see how agriculture looks there and how we can work together successfully moving forward. The Ohio Soybean Council recently took one of their “See for Yourself” tours to South America. Hear from one of the participants on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, succession planning is becoming more important for Ohio farm families for a multitude of reasons. Learn about all of the resources highlighted in the latest Our Ohio magazine.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many in agriculture diversified into new ventures to keep the lights on. But it doesn’t take a world-changing event to create new opportunities through agricultural expansion or diversification. We discuss what to think about when it comes to diversifying your farm with Nationwide. Plus, under the Corporate Transparency Act, some new paperwork requirements are going to be handed to farmers. What are these changes and what do they mean to Ohio Farm Bureau members? Find out on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
How well do you know your farm? Sure, you could probably drive your fields blindfolded and you could name without a doubt the cow that will always come in the parlor last; but what about your farm as a business? Learn about Ohio State's Ohio Farm Business Analysis Program and how it can help you and your farm find efficiencies for long-term success. Plus, Farm Credit Mid-America customer owners will be getting a whopping $225 million patronage return this year. Find out more about the program on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
With 2024 upon us, farmers should start planning now to optimize output, quality and overall profitability of what they raise in another year of potentially volatile weather patterns and crop markets. We visit with an expert from Nationwide about five things farmers should consider for a successful crop season. Plus, hear how one statewide media outlet is highlighting Ohio agriculture and how your farm could be a part of their weekly segment on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
Each year, Ohio Pork Congress is an opportunity for pork producers and business professionals to network, learn about industry issues and recognize industry leaders. Get an update from the 2024 Pork Congress from Ohio Pork Council President Nick Seger and Hannah Thompson-Weeman from the Animal Agriculture Alliance on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
The Ohio Soybean Council’s collaboration with soybean researchers at The Ohio State University is identifying smarter, safer ways to advance soybean production. Learn about some of the projects on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, learn all about Ohio Farm Bureau's new Advocacy in Action policy leadership resources.
There are many important aspects that make a farm tick. Weather, markets, technology and people come to mind. Safety is another major component to a farm’s success. Learn all about the 2024 Ohio Safety Congress & Expo on March 27-29 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus get details about American Farm Bureau's Target Training in Columbus March 21 – 23 for members from any state who are passionate about sharing the story of agriculture with the general public.
Setting goals, creating a business structure, managing liability, estate planning and taxes may not sound all that fun, but they are all necessary when young and beginning farmers are getting started. Learn more about these tips from the pros at Wright and Moore on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, 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. Ohio Farm Bureau's Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis shares some of the concerns this might bring up for landowners.
Wars, strikes and low water levels are just some of the issues hampering trade for agricultural commodities. What have the impacts been and how long will they last? Ohio State's Dr. Ian Sheldon talks trade on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus OSU's Dr. Brent Sohngen gives his 2024 Energy Outlook.
Self-driving tractors, cow-milking robots and cover-crop-seeding drones are just a few examples of the advancements farmers are using to be more efficient, more precise and more sustainable in all aspects of agriculture. Where is tech on the farm going and what is next? Ohio State's Dr. Scott Shearer has some insights on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
It wasn't long ago that a drone at a field day would turn every head. Now, they are becoming common in agriculture in quick time. Find out what you need to know if a drone is in your farm's future from the FAA's Drone Guy, Kevin Morris on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
The Farmers Guide to Trucking Regulations is a new resource, exclusively for Ohio Farm Bureau members that includes a farm driver checklist, overview of both state and federal regulations and exemptions, facts about CDL qualifications, details on inspections, load regulations, hazardous materials, emergency response information and more. Learn more about it on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, more rural Ohio fire departments are getting life saving tools and training for grain bin entrapments from Nationwide. Find out how your local fire department can get involved and equipped.
Farm Labor continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing agriculture. Each year, Ohio State takes a look at the farm workforce picture and what the sector can expect moving forward. Dr. Margaret Jodlowski has the details on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, author and American Farmland Trust's Brooks Lamb will preview his upcoming talk at the Young Ag Professionals Winter Leadership Experience as he shares his story of starting a farm career in a very challenging time.
Coming down from high farm incomes, high commodity prices, and rising land values and cash rents in the last 3 years, the ag economy is showing signs of weakening and moderation. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, Ohio State's Ani Katchova gives her 2023 Farm Income Outlook. Then, soil health enthusiast Mitchell Hora checks in to talk about his message to participants of the upcoming Young Ag Professionals Winter Leadership Experience.
Attendees at 64 county fairs across Ohio collected a lot of food to benefit more than 65 food banks as part of Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer, a state-wide food drive contest sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America and Rural 1st. Get the 2023 results on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, an expert from Nationwide talks about maximizing the tax-savings from the employee benefits of a farmer’s spouse who works off the farm and learn about a one-day certification program designed to empower Farm Bureau members with the necessary skills and resources to effectively present in classrooms.
Farm Bureau members, official delegates and guests were all part of Ohio Farm Bureau’s 105th Annual Meeting. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, get a recap of the policies that were set by the delegate body, find out who was recognized for their contributions to Ohio Farm Bureau and Ohio agriculture and hear from Ohio Farm Bureau's president, Bill Patterson and executive vice president, Adam Sharp as we highlight their addresses to members.
Family is an important aspect of any farm's success, but it can also be a factor that hampers progress. Jolene Brown, a featured speaker at the upcoming Young Ag Professionals Winter Leadership Experience, gives a preview of what she will be sharing with attendees when it comes to having those tough conversations that could make or break a farms forward progress. Plus, the Ohio Soybean Council is working with other state soybean groups to develop programs and ideas to help their members sell more beans. Get all of the details on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Every day, thousands of unassuming Americans are tricked into revealing confidential information. Savvy criminals want your information, so they can commit identify 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 take over his father in law’s 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
Last month, the Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative released their findings of the 2021 Assessment Survey Report on practices being used by farmers in the Lower Maumee watershed to manage water and nutrients. The survey results establish a baseline of adoption for various farming practices in the Lower Maumee watershed. The information will allow for a more targeted approach to help increase some practices, while also displaying that some practices are already adopted at an adequate level. What do the results tell us? What are farmers doing right and what could be improved to protect soil and water? On this Our Ohio Weekly, learn about the entire report from Kris Swartz, farmer and Chair, Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative, Jordan Hoewischer, Director of Water Quality and Research, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and Dr. John Fulton, Professor and Extension Specialist, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University.
00:00 - Swartz, Fulton and Hoewischer talk about the results of the initial survey and why this Assessment Report was commissioned and how it will be utilized going forward.
16:50 - The panelists discuss new nutrient management technologies being utilized by farmers in Northwest Ohio and how H2Ohio will help more farmers adopt new practices.
23:50 - On this edition of “To the Beat of Agriculture”, we continue to feature Ohio Farm Bureau state trustees. This week, hear from the 22nd District representative, including Athens, Gallia, Lawrence and Meigs counties. Karin Bright talks about her unique community and what Joe Burrow did for their food pantry.
32:20 - Jason Berkland, Senior Associate Vice President of Risk Management at Nationwide shares how his organization is helping to bring attention to the dangers of grain bins and helping to prevent tragic accidents on the farm with the Nominate your Fire Department contest.
42:20 - In March, Farm Credit Mid-America will distribute $210 million to eligible customers through the Patronage Program, the largest amount ever distributed in their history. Brock Burcham, Regional Vice President Agricultural Lending, mentions some of the ways Patronage returns benefit customers and Farm Credit Mid-America.
Some important deadlines are looming for farmers wanting to join the nearly 2,000 already signed up for the H2Ohio water quality program. To date, over 1 million acres have Voluntary Nutrient Management Plans, a key component of H2Ohio. This week, we visit with the Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Dorothy Pelanda, to find out more about the initiative, and other important items, like food security and their work with county fairs, that fall under the purview of ODA.
00:00 - Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Dorothy Pelanda discusses the success of H2Ohio in northwest Ohio and how her agency has helped farmers through the recent challenges in Ohio’s food supply chain.
16:50 - The Ohio Dairy Action Group is taking what are have learned from industry experts and created policy to help dairy farmers across the state remain viable. Ohio Farm Bureau’s Brandon Kern has the details.
23:50 - In a new series of “To the Beat of Agriculture” segments, we highlight Ohio Farm Bureau state trustees.
32:20 - The Ohio State University is the lead university partner of a multimillion-dollar NASA-funded effort to develop a new generation of commercially based, human-occupied space stations. OSU’s John M. Horack, Neil Armstrong Chair in Aerospace Policy and lead researcher for the Starlab collaboration and Scott Shearer, Professor and Chair, Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering explain the project’s mission and how their university got involved.
From Waters of the U.S., to the Enlist herbicide ban, to the Renewable Fuels Standard, EPA has ruffled quite a few feathers in agriculture lately. As those challenges come, organizations like Farm Bureau jump in and join in the conversation to make sure the agency has all of the information needed when new ideas that may have an impact on farmers across the country are introduced. On this Our Ohio Weekly, find out about new policies being put forth by the EPA and what Farm Bureau is doing to help them make sure their rules make sense for everyone involved.
00:00 - Ryan Yates, Managing Director of Public Policy with American Farm Bureau and Brandon Kern, Senior Director of State and National Policy with Ohio Farm Bureau talk about the latest developments from the EPA in regards to Waters of the U.S.
16:50 - Yates and Kern discuss the diverse challenges that have come from the EPA over the past year.
23:50 - On this edition of “To the Beat of Agriculture'', we’ll hear from the winner of the Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Ag Professionals 2022 Discussion Meet. Learn how Mike Hannewald uses his agronomy degree to better the farming community around him.
32:20 - Erin Stickle, chairman of The Ohio Beef Council, shares some of the efforts being made with the Beef Checkoff to keep the cattle industry thriving.
42:20 - This year’s Ohio Beef Expo co-chair, Bill Tom, gives a preview of this weekend’s event in Columbus.
At Ohio Farm Bureau, we keep our eyes on many things that may impact our members and their way of life. Most of the time that would be proposed legislation or regulation, but we also keep tabs on litigation at the local, state and federal levels. At Farm Bureau’s recent Ag Day at the Capital, nearly 350 members traveled to Columbus to visit with lawmakers and were invited to a special panel to hear from some very important people, including Supreme Court Justices Pat DeWine and Patrick Fischer, for an inside look at the workings of the highest court in Ohio.
00:00 - Ohio Supreme Court Justices DeWine and Fischer talk about how their backgrounds molded their judicial philosophies.
16:50 - The Justices talk about how input from organizations like Ohio Farm Bureau impact their decisions from the bench.
23:50 - On this edition of To the Beat of Agriculture, meet the recipient of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association’s Young Cattleman of the Year Award. Learn about Zane Gross’ background, challenges the cattle industry faces and his hopes for the future as he grows his operation.
32:20 - Why are judges on Ohio’s Supreme Court elected? Justices DeWine and Fischer share how they feel about running for their seats?
42:20 - The Ohio Supreme Court Justices have suggestions for ways voters can research candidates to elect those who best match their ideals. Then, hear from Ohio Commercial Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield President, Jane Peterson, about the relationship between her organization and Ohio Farm Bureau and the health insurance options available to Farm Bureau members.
According to the USDA Economic Research Service, food-at-home prices increased 3.5 percent and food-away-from-home prices increased 4.5 percent in 2021. That trend looks to continue throughout this year with the food we eat at home predicted to increase between 1.5 and 2.5 percent, and food-away-from-home prices are predicted to increase between 3.5 and 4.5 percent. This, of course, has an impact on every American in a different way, but why are food prices so high and what types of food items are being affected the most? On this Our Ohio Weekly, we talk food prices and inflation.
00:00 - Dr. Zoë Plakias, Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics at Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences shares her latest findings about food prices and inflation
16:50 - As winter weather continues, farmers are quickly turning attention to 2022 farm planning. Factors like farm labor availability and supply chain disruptions potentially complicate some normally straightforward purchase and planning decisions. Planning ahead is more important than ever, especially when it comes to risk, according to Jason Berkland, Associate Vice President of Risk Management at Nationwide.
23:50 - On this “To the Beat of Agriculture”, meet this year’s Miss Ohio. Lora Current’s ag background and passion for social work easily make her stand out among a field of contestants. The royalty from eastern Ohio shares her story.
32:20 - Ohio’s agriculture groups have given Governor Mike DeWine and his Ohio Expo 2050 Task Force their recommendations for what the Expo Center and State Fair need in the short and long term in order to create a better fair experience for everyone. Ohio Farm Bureau’s executive vice president Adam Sharp talks about some of the asks from the state’s commodity groups.
42:20 - Some county Farm Bureaus have recently partnered with BetterHelp – the world’s largest therapy provider – in extending access to professional counseling for those dealing with farm stress and mental health challenges. Organization Director Ashley Rose shares the details.
The average Ohio farm real estate value, including land and buildings, averaged $6,600 per acre last year, according to the National Ag Statistics Service. That’s a 3.9 percent increase from 2020. Ohio’s cropland value was $6,800, an increase of 5.3 percent from the previous year and pasture values in the Buckeye State were up 2.1 percent from 2020 at $3,440 per acre. On this Our Ohio Weekly, find out what has caused this spike in land values and if the bubble will pop anytime soon.
00:00 - Randy Dickhut, senior vice president of real estate operations with Farmers National Company and Chip Carpenter, Auctioneer/Broker at United Country Real Estate & Auction Services discuss what they are seeing when it comes to farmland values across Ohio and the Corn Belt.
16:50 - Dickhut and Carpenter talk about how today’s land market compares to the 1980’s and if the land value bubble will pop.
23:50 - On this episode of “To the Beat of Agriculture”, hear from Katelyn Hall, National Junior Miss Agriculture USA, about her involvement in ag and her plans for the remainder of her reign.
32:20 - Darla Munroe, a professor and chair of geography at Ohio State, gives details about a recent study that found five types of rural communities in Ohio.
42:20 - Munroe shares what concerns came out of Ohio State’s study on rural Ohio and find out about the upcoming ‘Hoppin’ Around Darke County’ events planned for young Farm Bureau members.
What started as an unprecedented meeting between members of American Farm Bureau and America’s cattle organizations has turned into meaningful legislation that is looking to dramatically change how cattle are marketed. These changes would give more transparency to the process and more income for the farmer. On this week’s Our Ohio Weekly, we talk about the issues involving cattle marketing and what is being done in Washington D.C. to give livestock producers a more fair market in the future.
00:00 - Scott Bennett, American Farm Bureau’s Director of Congressional Relations and Brandon Kern, senior director of state and national policy for Ohio Farm Bureau discuss the current challenges farmers are dealing with when it comes to cattle marketing across the country.
16:50 - Bennett and Kern talk about what possible changes to the Packers and Stockyards Act would mean for the livestock industry.
23:50 - “To the Beat of Agriculture”, hear from the outstanding winner of an important award from the National Association of Agricultural Educators. Stephanie Jolliff shares her passion for ag education and her motivations after 26 years of teaching.
32:20 - Dr. Juan Leon, Chief of the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Division of Meat Inspection talks about the uptick in direct-to-consumer sales and how his team has adjusted to the shift in demand.
42:20 - Dr. Leon talks about the funding coming from the state and federal governments to help small and medium sized meat processors expand their to benefit local farmers and consumers.
There is always a lot to take in at the Ohio Farm Bureau Young Agricultural Professionals Winter Leadership Experience. Plenty of educational seminars, resources for new and beginning farmers and an abundance of networking opportunities. At the event last weekend in Cincinnati, attendees also got some education and advice from a panel of more seasoned farmers, including Steve Hirsch, a fifth-generation owner of Hirsch Fruit Farm in Ross County, as well as a board member for Nationwide Insurance and Rose Hartschuh, an Ohio Farm Bureau board member who operates a dairy and raises grain crops, alfalfa and cover crops in Northwest Ohio. On this Our Ohio Weekly, hear some of their advice to younger farmers.
00:00 - Hirsch and Hartschuh talk about their current farming operations and the road from when they started their careers to where they are now.
16:50 - Hirsch and Hartschuh discuss some of the new ideas they brought to the farm when they first started and what a plan for the future looks like.
23:50 - On this edition of “To the Beat of Agriculture”, hear from the recipient of the Charles Boyles Master Shepherd of the Year Award. Learn how Roger Cox comes from a long line of sheep herders and how his children are already picking up the mantle from him.
32:20 - Hirsch and Hartschuh share some of the challenges they have seen throughout their career and how important networking is to their success.
42:20 - Hirsch and Hartschuh cover some of the barriers that young and beginning farmers may experience and who influenced them the most in their careers.
Earlier this month, the American Farm Bureau Federation hosted their 103rd Annual Convention. Members from across the country traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to celebrate successes of 2021 and set the organization’s priorities for 2022. Some VIPs also took part in the event, including AFBF President Zippy Duvall and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, to share their expectations for farmers for this year and further into the future.
00:00 - American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall shares his stories from his travels across the country’s diverse agricultural landscape and how he takes what he learns from those farm visits to lawmakers in Washington D.C.
16:50 - Tom Vilsack, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary, shares what his agency is doing to address some of the major issues impacting agriculture.
23:50 - On this edition of “To the Beat of Agriculture”, meet the recipient of the No Till Farmer of the Year award from the Ohio No-Till Council, Jeff Duling, and learn about how his background influenced the way he farms today.
32:20 - Secretary Vilsack told AFBF members that farmers need technology in order to be sustainable and how USDA is working to expand broadband across the country.
42:20 - Vilsack addressed the issues of price transparency and supply chain disruptions affecting America’s livestock producers.
The first part of a new year is always a great time to reflect on the past 12 months and set goals for the next 12. What went right, what went wrong and what did we learn? On this Our Ohio Weekly, we ask those questions from an agricultural perspective and get the answers from an economist, an agronomist and an agribusiness leader.
00:00 - Dr. Roger Cryan, American Farm Bureau’s Chief Economist, Chris Henney, President and CEO of the Ohio Agribusiness Association and John Brien, Eastern Agronomy Manager for AgriGold talk about the good and the bad from 2021 and take a look at 2022.
23:50 - On this “To the Beat of Agriculture”, hear from Austin Troyer, a driven, first generation livestock farmer and learn about how his unique plot of land influenced him to switch from cattle to sheep.
32:20 - Dr. Jay Martin, Professor of Ecological Engineering, Department of Food, Agricultural & Biological Engineering at The Ohio State University talks about a couple innovative projects in the Western Lake Erie Basin dealing with nutrient runoff and conservation practice adoption.
For most of the past two years, while most of the world was put on pause, farmers never stopped working and neither did their associations. Along with Ohio Farm Bureau, organizations like the Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association and Ohio Soybean Association continue to advocate for trade policies that work for Ohio farmers, as well as monitor water quality and biofuel legislation, engage legislators and regulators, and talk with our farmer members. On this Our Ohio Weekly, hear from leaders of Ohio’s corn, wheat and soybean groups.
00:00 - Tadd Nicholson and Kirk Merritt, Executive Directors of Ohio Corn and Wheat and Ohio Soybean, respectively, give a recap of 2021 and what their members can expect in 2022.
16:50 - Jay Truitt with Policy Matters talks about things happening in Washington D.C. that could have major implications for rural Ohio.
23:50 - On this week’s “To the Beat of Agriculture”, hear from a retired physician who found a passion for soil conservation and how his journey leg to him winning the Cooperator of the Year and a more recent recognition from the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
32:20 - Leah Curtis, policy counsel with Ohio Farm Bureau, talks about possible Force Majeure happening in Ohio and gives details on the state’s new fireworks law.
42:20 - The American Farm Trail app is a new agritourism app from The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. Find out more about it from the Foundation’s Executive Director Daniel Meloy.
Ohio Farm Bureau members were “Together Again” as the organization held its 103rd annual meeting earlier this month in Columbus. Nearly 385 delegates from all 88 Ohio counties established the organization’s policy goals for the coming year, elected leaders, recognized county Farm Bureau and individual achievements and honored industry leaders. On this Our Ohio Weekly, get a recap of this year’s annual meeting and hear from the organization’s President and Executive Vice President.
00:00 - Ohio Farm Bureau President Bill Patterson addresses the organization’s members at the 103rd Annual Meeting.
16:50 - At the Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting Kickoff Luncheon, Executive Vice President Adam Sharp gave remarks about the successes of 2021 and the goals for the coming year.
23:50 - On this “To the Beat of Agriculture'', we’ll hear from an ag lender who has also carried on the legacy of his family’s farm. Plus, learn more about Derek Snyder’s journey and what he is looking forward to at the upcoming Young Ag Professionals gathering.
32:20 - Applications for The Ohio Meat Processing Grant are now being accepted. Learn more about these grants from Brandon Kern, Ohio Farm Bureau’s senior director of state and national policy.
42:20 - Meet Jami Dellifield, the winner of the inaugural Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation’s “Y Prize” for her work on the issue of farmer mental health.
Farmers will be the first to tell you there is no better life than life on the farm. But it certainly isn’t for everybody. Early mornings, long days and dirt under the nails isn’t as appealing as most other jobs out there, but nonetheless those not-so-attractive jobs still need to be done. On this Our Ohio Weekly, find out how the big picture of Food and Ag Labor looks and what worker shortages mean for the farm sector and for consumers down the line.
00:00 - Ohio State Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics Assistant Professor Dr. Margaret Jodlowski gives an update on Ohio Food & Agricultural Labor
23:50 - To the Beat of Agriculture, Hannah Divencenzo shares the importance of networking at the upcoming YAP Winter Leadership Experience and how this conference has personally impacted her own life.
32:20 - Year end is quickly approaching and it is time to update and gather financial information. While some may avoid or procrastinate this step, Farm Credit Mid-America’s Regional Vice President Agricultural Lending, Rudi Pitzer-Perry says it is critical to your long-term and short-term success as an operation.
42:20 - Jackson/Vinton County Farm Bureau Organization Director Kim Harless has all of the details on this year’s Drive-Thru Breakfast with Santa in the Barn.
Farm life can be demanding and stressful and those stresses have reached a critical stage with pandemic impacts on top of natural disasters, extreme weather events, financial pressures due to fluctuating commodity prices, labor shortages, trade disruptions and other factors over the past several years. On this Our Ohio Weekly, find out if the issues of farm stress and mental health are getting as much attention as needed when it comes to helping those who need it.
00:00 - Highland County farmers Nathan Brown and Brandon Fullenkamp, along with mental health expert Adrienne DeSutter talk about the current status of farm stress and mental health and what is being done to bring the important issue to light across rural America.
23:50 - Hear from Ryan Matthews on “To the Beat of Agriculture”. He is a new member of the Young Ag Professional state committee and he shares how Farm Bureau played an important role in his life and gives some details about the upcoming YAP Winter Leadership Experience.
32:20 - The farm stress and mental health conversation with Nathan Brown, Brandon Fullenkamp and Adrienne DeSutter continues.
42:20 - To prepare for the ag census, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service is currently conducting the National Agricultural Classification Survey to help identify all agricultural activity across the country. State Statistician Cheryl Turner with the Ohio Field Office of the USDA/NASS Great Lakes Region has the details.
A different type of farm is coming to the Buckeye State. Soon, the town of Pioneer, Ohio will be home to a nearly 500,000 square feet facility that will be used to grow Atlantic Salmon. Science and technology breakthroughs from 30 years ago have spawned into a burgeoning industry where farms grow quality food to a booming world population and produce that food with their neighbors and the environment in mind. On this Our Ohio Weekly, learn more about AquaBounty, one of Ohio’s newest farmers.
00:00 - AquaBounty President and CEO, Sylvia Wulf gives insights into the Salmon industry and her company’s plans for growth to meet market demands.
23:50 - Young Ag Professionals State Committee member Sara Tallmadge tells her ag story “To the Beat of Agriculture” and has important information about the 2022 YAP Winter Leadership Experience
32:20 - Micah Mensing, Farm Credit Mid-America’s Growing Forward Specialist, shares how his organization supports the next generation of agriculture.
42:20 - The Thanksgiving Dinner Price Survey was recently released by American Farm Bureau. Their Senior Economist, Veronica Nigh, has the details.
According to the Farm Service Agency of the USDA, nearly 3 percent, or 35.2 million acres of U.S. farmland is foreign-owned as of December. 2019. Several states have enacted laws or introduced legislation to limit foreign ownership of farmland in the United States. The National Agricultural Law Center joins us on this Our Ohio Weekly to provide a status report on those laws and where Ohio stands on the issue of foreign-owned ag land.
00:00 - The National Agricultural Law Center’s Harrison Pittman explores the past, present, and future of federal and state laws as well as legislative proposals relating to foreign ownership of agricultural land.
23:50 - On this “To the Beat of Agriculture'', hear the story of Northwest Ohio farmer Austin Heil as he talks about his deep roots in Ohio agriculture dating back to the 1800’s. He is also the man behind a charity bike ride that spells “Ohio” in cursive, all to raise money for a great cause.
32:20 - More with Harrison Pittman of the National Ag Law Center discussing foreign ownership of U.S. farmland.
42:20 - Sharon Casapulla, President of the Ohio Rural Health Association highlights the upcoming National Rural Health Day and her organization’s Rural Health Improvement Plan.
The Collegiate Farm Bureau at The Ohio State University serves many purposes. The organization provides support to students who are engaged in the field of agriculture and is a connection between current industry professionals and students engaged in the field of agriculture. The organization also works to familiarize members with, and to maintain cooperative relationships with, OFB and AFBF and it creates a diverse student organization that is educated and passionate about the agriculture industry, farm policy, and innovation.
00:00 - Collegiate Farm Bureau at The Ohio State University President Tyler Zimpfer and Vice President Joel Shoup talk about their organization and why the chose to get involved in their leadership roles.
16:50 - Ohio’s Treasurer Robert Sprague talks about his proposed modifications to the state’s AgLink program to help more farmers get reduced interest operating loans.
23:50 - 2021 Ohio Youth Capital Challenge winners Emily Scaff and Cadence Richard share the details of their project that earned them a scholarship in this week’s “To the Beat of Agriculture”.
32:20 - Find out more about the 2022 Ohio Youth Capital Challenge from Ohio Farm Bureau’s program specialist, Kelsey Turner.
42:20 - 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”. Leah Curtis, Ohio Farm Bureau’s policy council talks about the process.
The first electric vehicle was created in 1832. Needless to say the technology has come a long way since that time and now there are more than 10 million Electric Vehicles on the road. The vast majority of these EVs are on California, New York, Florida and Texas highways, but when will we start seeing EVs in rural areas and even put to use on farms? On this Our Ohio Weekly, we take a look into EVs and agriculture.
00:00 - Secretary of State Frank LaRose is looking for people to work the polls on November 2nd. He talks about the process and the benefits of volunteering on Election Day.
05:05 - Dale Arnold, Ohio Farm Bureau’s Director of Energy Policy and Dr. Scott Shearer, a professor and chair of the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Ohio State University talk about the future of EVs use in agriculture.
23:50 - On this week’s edition of To the Beat of Agriculture, meet the recipient of Ohio Farm Bureau’s 2021 Outstanding Young Farmer Award and learn how he is leading the next generation of farmers.
32:20 - October is Cooperative Month! Farm Credit Mid-America Senior Vice President Agricultural Lending, Tara Durbin, discusses the advantages and benefits of being part of a co-op.
42:20 - The Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association just wrapped up their 2021 Ohio Fairs season. OHHA’s Frank Fraas has a recap.
Farmers are used to getting paid for raising a quality product — soybeans, sweet corn, apples, peppers. But a farm’s value lies in its soils, too. What if farmers could get paid for building a quality soil? Just like markets for those soybeans, there’s now a small, but growing, commodity market for building and storing carbon in a farm’s soils. So how do farmers get paid for storing carbon? On this Our Ohio Weekly, learn more about carbon markets.
00:00 - 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.
16:50 - Amanda Bahn-Ziegler, Account Manager for Truterra, discusses 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.
23:50 - Hear from the winner of Ohio Farm Bureau’s 2021 Discussion Meet, Stacie Anderson, on this week’s To the Beat of Agriculture. Her roots in agriculture run deep as memories of old school Farm Bureau meetings happily linger in her past.
32:20 - Aldyen Donnelly, co-founder of Nori Inc., shares all things carbon and what programming Nori offers for farmers interested in carbon sequestration.
42:20 - Mike Thompson and Bryan Randell from Indigo Ag visit about their carbon programs available for farmers across the state.
Farmers are used to getting paid for raising a quality product — soybeans, sweet corn, apples, peppers. But a farm’s value lies in its soils, too. What if farmers could get paid for building a quality soil? Just like markets for those soybeans, there’s now a small, but growing, commodity market for building and storing carbon in a farm’s soils. So how do farmers get paid for storing carbon? On this Our Ohio Weekly, learn more about carbon markets from guests on Ohio Farm Bureau's Field Day podcast.
00:00 - 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.
16:50 - Amanda Bahn-Ziegler, Account Manager for Truterra, discusses 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.
23:50 - Hear from the winner of Ohio Farm Bureau’s 2021 Discussion Meet, Stacie Anderson, on this week’s To the Beat of Agriculture. Her roots in agriculture run deep as memories of old school Farm Bureau meetings happily linger in her past.
32:20 - Aldyen Donnelly, co-founder of Nori Inc., shares all things carbon and what programming Nori offers for farmers interested in carbon sequestration.
42:20 - Mike Thompson and Bryan Randell from Indigo Ag visit about their carbon programs available for farmers across the state.
Ohio Farm Bureau’s farmer leaders, including young agricultural professionals, AgriPOWER Class XII members, along with county presidents and vice presidents, made their way to Washington, D.C. at the end of September. Over three days, participants heard from experts and, in turn, voiced their thoughts on topics as far reaching as tax policy to climate to broadband development. This week on Our Ohio Weekly, hear more about this opportunity for members 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.
00:00 - Senator Rob Portman visits with participants on the 2021 Washington D.C. Leaders Experience trip about legislation currently being considered by Congress.
16:50 - Senator Sherrod Brown talks with Ohio Farm Bureau members about the infrastructure legislation he had a hand in developing and what it would mean for Ohio.
23:50 - Colin Brown, a former sous chef who began growing ingredients in his own garden, now has his own farm to table restaurant in the Cleveland area. He tells his story "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - Megan and Tyrone Brannon are co-chairs of the Ohio Farm Bureau Young Agriculture Professionals state committee. They were part of this year's Washington D.C. Leadership Experience and they share what being a part of the trip meant to them.
42:20 - Hardin County Farm Bureau vice president Austin Heil gives his recap of the week in D.C. visiting with legislators and his takeaway from being on the trip.
Twenty Ohio Farm Bureau leaders are serving on the organization's 2021 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. In its initial session, the committee heard from government leaders, subject matter experts and Farm Bureau staff on a variety of topics. On this Our Ohio Weekly, hear from some of the members of this year’s Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Development Committee.
00:00 - Dr. Larry Antosch, Senior Director of Policy Development and Environmental Policy with Ohio Farm Bureau and OFBF Policy Development Committee members Danielle Burch and Jonathan Zucker talk about the issues Farm Bureau is looking at ahead of this year’s annual meeting.
23:50 - Nicole Gunderman works on a Cincinnati farm that was recently awarded an Action and Awareness Grant from Ohio Farm Bureau for their important work. Find out more about Gorman Heritage Farm “To the Beat of Agriculture”.
32:20 - The Ohio State University College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences will present a free, virtual Let’s Talk About Caregivers and Mental Health Support workshop on Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. The workshop is designed for caregivers who live in a rural setting and anyone who lives/works on a farm. OSU’s Laura Agkerman has the details.
42:20 - County Farm Bureau’s in east central Ohio are taking a different approach to Mental Health awareness. Organization Director Trevor Kirkpatrick shares how a check engine light is making the connection to mental health for area farmers.
According to Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, nearly 31% of Ohio or over 8 million acres of the state is under forest cover. Almost 6 million of those acres are held by some 336,000 nonindustrial private landowners. If you are one of those owners, you probably already know that properly managing your woodland improves forest health, aesthetics, and wildlife habitat. It also provides soil stabilization, clean water, self-satisfaction, and a potential source of income. On this week’s Our Ohio Weekly, we discover more about Ohio’s timber industry.
00:00 - John Kehn, Northern Service Forestry Coordinator, Division of Forestry at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources gives an overview of Ohio’s timber industry.
16:50 - Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ John Kehn talks about the education needed when it comes to timber and the efforts being made on that front.
23:50 - Wyandot County pig farmer Randy Brown has been farming for over 40 years and his efforts on his farm and in the industry were recently recognized. Hear his story “To the Beat of Agriculture.”
32:20 - The Farm Science Review is back in person this year. Adam Carney, senior director of membership sales and marketing with Ohio Farm Bureau, gives a preview of what is happening in OFBF’s barn this year at FSR.
42:20 - Kelly Burns, executive director of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation, talks about the Youth Pathways to Careers on Agriculture grant program and its mission to introduce and train students for high-demand jobs in the farm and food sector.
Launched by Governor Mike DeWine in 2019, H2Ohio is a comprehensive water quality initiative that is addressing serious water issues that have been building in Ohio for decades. Areas of concern include harmful algal blooms on Lake Erie caused by phosphorus runoff from farm fertilizer, wastewater, and home sewage treatment systems due to aging infrastructure, and lead contamination from old water pipes and fixtures. H2Ohio was first funded by the Ohio General Assembly with an investment of $172 million in the 2020-2021 state budget, which allowed the program to rollout to 14 counties in the Maumee River Watershed. Additional funding in the latest budget means the program is expanding. On this Our Ohio Weekly, find out what H2Ohio means for the state’s agriculture sector.
00:00 - Clark Hudson, Program Coordinator for H2Ohio in the Western Lake Erie Basin, gives an update on the water quality initiative.
23:50 - After a series of life-changing events while serving as a U.S. soldier, Matt Schaar took his determination and fortitude from the battlefield to the farm fields. Hear his story “To the Beat of Agriculture.”
32:20 - Dirk Pollitt, Nationwide’s VP of Farm Sales and Underwriting shares how you can nominate a deserving ag educator for the Golden Owl Award and Ivory Harlow has the details on the upcoming event, "The Meating" for those interested in the meat processing sector.
42:20 - Honeybees are growing in popularity in Ohio, but what are some things to consider if you are looking to become a beekeeper? Policy Counsel Leah Curtis talks about the basics of beekeeping.
Earlier this year, Governor DeWine signed House Bill 2 into law, creating the Ohio Broadband Expansion Program. Then, as part of the state’s new biennial budget, $250 million dollars was earmarked to allow internet service providers to apply for grants that will help fund the infrastructure needed to provide faster internet access to underserved rural Ohio communities. How soon will Ohioans see a difference in their broadband offerings and what does that process look like? On this week’s Our Ohio Weekly, we connect with experts to talk about rural broadband.
00:00 - Tom Reid, Broadband Consultant with Reid Consulting Group and Jenna Reese, Director of State Policy with Ohio Farm Bureau talk about the rural broadband challenges in Ohio and efforts to overcome them.
23:50 - "To the Beat of Agriculture", one of the newest inductees into the Ohio Agriculture Hall of Fame, Keith Stimpert, talks about his career that included 4 decades with Ohio Farm Bureau.
32:20 - Tom Reid and Jenna Reese continue the rural broadband discussion and the multiple disconnects between rural and urban parts of Ohio.
42:20 - Hocking County Farm Bureau organization director, Ivory Harlow, talks about the newly developed virtual Youth Cooperative Leadership Experience.
The Ohio State University’s Farm Science Review, which was held online last year because of the pandemic, will return this year to be live and in person for the 59th annual event. Farm Science Review attracts over 100,000 visitors from all over the United States and Canada, who come for three days to peruse 4,000 product lines from 600 commercial exhibitors, and learn the latest in agricultural production. On this week’s Our Ohio Weekly, learn more about this year’s Farm Science Review.
00:00 - Farm Science Review manager, Nick Zachrich, and OSU Extension Educator Brooke Beam give a preview of this year's event.
16:50 - A new infrastructure bill has passed the Senate and is on its way to the House. Ohio Farm Bureau's Brandon Kern discusses what this legislation would mean for agriculture in Ohio and across the country.
23:50 - "To the Beat of Agriculture", northeast Ohio's Lori Keener shares the story of the trust her family put into the Ohio Farm Bureau and Nationwide over many generations after he experience of turning in a decades old life policy.
32:20 - More than 830 river miles are protected in the Ohio scenic river system, with some new designations being proposed. Ohio Farm Bureau policy counsel, Leah Curtis, discusses The Ohio Scenic Rivers Program.
42:20 - Shelby County Farm Bureau organization director, Jill Smith, has information about the upcoming Growing Women in Agriculture: An Empowerment Celebration coming up next month.
If you were to visit 80 Acres Farms you might be looking for tractors, silos or acres and acres of soil, but those things typical to agriculture are nowhere in sight at the Hamilton, Ohio facility. Instead, the farm is located inside a huge controlled environment facility. This week, find out how vertical farming works and how it will fit into the future of American agriculture?
00:00 - Rebecca Haders, vice president of creative and marketing for 80 Acres Farms, talks about the world's first fully automated indoor farm, capable of producing an abundance of crop varieties year-round.
16:50 - Chieri Kubota, professor of controlled environment agriculture at Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences’ Department of Horticulture and Crop Science discusses the new Controlled Environment Food Production Research Complex being constructed on Waterman Farm in Columbus.
23:50 - "To the Beat of Agriculture", meet the "Punk Rock Farmer", Jonathan Lawler.
32:20 - Ohio Poultry Association executive vice president Jim Chakeres shares how Ohio’s egg and bacon farmers have joined efforts to launch Best Buckeye Breakfasts.
42:20 - Once again this year, the Delaware and Union County Farm Bureaus are hosting Benefit in the Barn to raise money for a great cause. Doug Loudenslager has the details.
The business of news - how it's generated, how it's distributed and how it's consumed has changed exponentially in what seems like a very short time and it keeps changing. What used to be local TV stations and hundreds of local newspapers has morphed into countless television networks and, sadly, very few newspapers covering small town America. That was the topic of conversation at a recent luncheon at the Columbus Metropolitan Club. On this Our Ohio Weekly, hear from industry experts from print and broadcast about the changing landscape of news in a digital world.
00:00 - Alan Miller, Executive Editor for The Columbus Dispatch, Walker Evans, Co-Founder & CEO of Columbus Underground and Denise Eck, News Director for WCMH NBC4 talk about how their industry has been changing as the world becomes fully digital.
23:50 - "To the Beat of Agriculture", hear from the President of Ohio State's Collegiate Farm Bureau, Tyler Zimpfer, and why he is passionate about getting involved in ag, and getting others involved, at the college level.
32:20 - Ben Gammie, Ohio Apples Board President and 4th generation owner & grower of Quarry Hill Orchard, talks about the apple industry and how agritourism has faired over the past 18 months.
For generations it has been ingrained in our society that after you graduate high school, the next logical step is to continue your education at the college level. Although there is value in getting a degree in a specialty of your choice, many students are finding a different path to a successful career by foregoing 2 or 4 year universities and diving right into a career. Realizing the growth of that thought process, while the workforce is shrinking, Sunrise Cooperative created the RISE FFA Career Program, and from that, Sunrise University. On this Our Ohio Weekly, meet the CEO of Sunrise and two of his newest employees who decided to fill out a job application instead of a college application.
00:00 - George Secor, President and CEO of Sunrise, Jacob Walters, 2021 RISE FFA Career Recipient and Sunrise University participant Shaun Hall talk about the new career oriented programs they are involved in.
23:50 - The man behind The Ohio State Fair has strong agricultural roots here in the Buckeye State. Virgil Strickler shares his story "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau's policy counsel, Leah Curtis, talks about the issue of stray voltage and how one Ohio dairy was impacted.
42:20 - If you produce, process or partake in red meat, you can take part in the ACEnet meat processing survey. Ohio Farm Bureau member Paul Dorrance has the details.
The saying “necessity is the mother of innovation” has rarely been more true for modern society than it was during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. That is particularly true for the farm and food sector. Farmers found new ways to market their products, manufacturers changed how food was packaged and delivered and more made-at-home recipes were Googled by the American public than ever before. There is one Ohio organization that specializes in helping those that grow and process our food more successfully and, needless to say, they have been very busy over the past 18 months. Learn more about the Center for Innovative Food Technology, or CIFT, on this Our Ohio Weekly.
00:00 - Rebecca Singer, CIFT's President and CEO and Elizabeth Murawski, Business and Workforce Development Manager for CIFT talk about how their organization encourages economic development by providing technical innovations and solutions for the food processing and agricultural industries.
23:50 - Meet Young Ag Professionals Jonathan and Alyssa Zucker, "To the Beat of Agriculture" and find out how they understand that in order to accomplish something in the future, you have to have respect for the past.
32:20 - CIFT's Rebecca Singer and Elizabeth Murawski talk about ways they are helping their clients combat new cybersecurity threats.
42:20 - American Farm Bureau's Ag Innovation Challenge is underway. AFBF's Executive Director of Industry Relations, Sarah Brown, shares the details.
In light of climate-induced risks and uncertainties like increasing extreme rainfall events and warmer temperatures, a team made up of research, extension, and outreach professionals at Ohio State are working together to identify how to promote sustainability and resilience in the Eastern Corn Belt. They are also trying to understand how farmers’ can adapt to these changing conditions while supporting both agricultural production and the protection of our critical ecosystem. Learn more about the study on this Our Ohio Weekly.
00:00 - Dr. Robyn Wilson, Professor of Risk Analysis and Decision Science at Ohio State’s School of Environment and Natural Resources, Dr. Aaron Wilson, Research Scientist at Ohio State’s Byrd Polar & Climate Research Center and Dr. Mary Doidge, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics at McGill University in Montreal discuss their project that focuses on the past and expected future climate conditions, and how farmers plan to adapt.
23:50 - After a series of life changing events while serving as a U.S. soldier, Matt Schaar took his determination and fortitude from the battlefield to the farm fields. Hear his story "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - Ohio has a new budget for Fiscal Years 2022-2023. The $74 billion budget checks many of Ohio Farm Bureau's priority issue boxes. To talk more about the wins for Farm Bureau and Ohio Agriculture as a whole in Ohio's budget is Brandon Kern, Ohio Farm Bureau's senior director of state and national policy and Jenna Reese, the organization’s director of state policy.
42:20 - American Farm Bureau just released their Summer Cookout Survey to get a gauge on popular Independence Day food prices. AFBF Economist Veronica Nigh has the details.
In 2015, The state of Ohio committed to reducing nutrient loading into Lake Erie by 40 percent by 2025. This commitment was made as part of the Western Lake Erie Collaborative agreement, which includes similar pledges from Michigan and Ontario, Canada. How do things stand halfway through this 10-year agreement? Is there any progress being made and is that 40 percent reduction goal attainable? On this Our Ohio Weekly, find out what the latest data suggests.
00:00 - Dr. Larry Antosch, senior director of policy development and environmental policy with Ohio Farm Bureau and Jordan Hoewischer, Ohio Farm Bureau's director of water quality and research discuss how Ohio and the state’s farmers are doing on holding up their end of the Western Lake Erie Collaborative agreement?
23:50 - "To the Beat of Agriculture", meet the 2021 Golden Owl Award winner, Don Hammersmith.
32:20 - U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown talks about how trade policy might change under the Biden Administration and what he is hearing from farm families about new tax proposals coming out of Washington.
42:20 - Find out about American Farm Bureau's "Farm Dog of the Year" contest from AFBF's vice president of communications, Terri Moore.
Technology for solar energy has come a long way over the past 10 years and, as a result, solar development projects are increasing across Ohio at a rapid rate. But with this recent boom in solar comes questions and concerns for farmers and landowners. What should you be aware of when signing a lease, what role does the government play, how will new solar projects impact land use, real estate values and nearby communities? Ironically energy that uses light is becoming a heavy topic in Ohio and we will cover it all on this Our Ohio Weekly.
00:00 - Dale Arnold, director of energy policy with Ohio Farm Bureau and OFBF's senior director of state and national policy, Brandon Kern, talk about the development of solar energy projects across the state and how the process of starting a project may be changing.
23:50 - Meet the newly elected Ohio Farm Bureau state trustee, Danielle Burch, "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau's director of water quality and research, Jordan Hoewischer, talks about the Ohio Nutrient Management Record Keeper or ONMRK app and how it is helping farmers with nutrient applications.
42:20 - Belmont County Farm Bureau will be filling backpacks for local kids in need again this month. Board member Devin Cain has all of the details and how volunteers can get involved.
While many have already started the vaccination process, there is currently a general lack of confidence. Overall, 40% of the U.S. public have expressed concerns, ranging from “skeptical” to “open but uncertain,” about getting vaccinated. The Ad Council and COVID Collaborative are leading a massive communications effort to educate the American public and build confidence around the COVID-19 vaccines. Find out more about those efforts on this Our Ohio Weekly.
00:00 - The JBS cyber attack puts even more emphasis on more regional capacity needs. Ohio Farm Bureau's Brandon Kern talks about what is being done in Ohio in that front.
05:58 - The Ad Council's Hannah Lipps and Charysse Nunez talk about the COVID-19 Vaccine Education Initiative, giving Americans all of the information they need before making the decision to get vaccinated.
23:50 - Meet the newly elected President of Ohio FFA, Jacob Zajkowski, "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - Dr. Christina Canfield M.D., a family medicine physician from Wakefield, talks about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine.
42:20 - Dennis Bell from the Columbus office of IRS gives the details about the upcoming IRS’ Rural Growth Symposium.
While farmers are always open to new climate-smart practices and technology to reduce emissions levels, they could play an even larger role in the future to help achieve climate goals by adopting voluntary practices to offset Greenhouse Gas emissions, such as trapping carbon in the soil through increased conservation cover and reduced tillage. On this Our Ohio Weekly learn about the developing carbon markets for farmers. The questions, the challenges and the opportunities.
00:00 - American Farm Bureau's director of congressional relations, Andrew Walmsley and AFBF Shelby Swain Myers discuss the emerging markets for sustainability and carbon credits.
23:50 - "To the Beat of Agriculture", meet the new President of the American Sheep Industry and Ohio sheep farmer, Susan Schulz.
32:20 - American Farm Bureau's director of congressional relations, Andrew Walmsley and AFBF Shelby Swain Myers talk about the revenue potential in the carbon market.
42:20 - The application deadline for Ohio Farm Bureau's Young Ag Professional's Outstanding Young Farmer and Excellence in Ag awards is quickly approaching on June 11. OFBF's Kelsey Turner talks about the qualifications to apply and the prizes offered to this year's winners.
In 2019, Ohio farmers experienced shocks that tested the limits of Ohio agriculture. Heavy rains affected planting and harvesting times, economic turbulence contributed to lower commodity prices, and nonfarm economic growth pushed farmland costs up. To learn how farmers were impacted, researchers in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University created the Ohio Farm Poll. On this Our Ohio Weekly, find out about the newly released results.
00:00 - Ohio State University's College of Food Agriculture and Environmental Sciences' School of Environment and Natural Resources' Dr. Douglas Jackson Smith, Dr. Shoshanah Inwood and Dr. Andrea Rissing talk about The Ohio Farm Poll, what the results told us and future plans for the poll.
23:50 - When you think of bison, what comes to mind? Rolling pastures, tumbleweeds and a sandy desert? You probably don't think about Ohio. On this "To the Beat of Agriculture", meet a bison farmers from Grove City.
32:20 - Ohio farmers were the target of a new poll regarding animal agriculture. Ohio Farm Bureau senior director of state and national policy, Brandon Kern, has the myths and the facts about the poll results.
If you’ve watched a few shows on Comedy Central or NBC’s Last Comic Standing or have purchased peanut butter in bulk you have more than likely run into this week’s guest. Comedian Greg Warren joins us to talk about his new Amazon Prime special “Where The Field Corn Grows”. Warren is smart enough to understand what he doesn't know, and it's in his common-sense attempt to understand basic agriculture and the farm life that he harvests the ridiculous and absurd.
00:00 - Comedian Greg Warren talks about his Amazon Prime special "Where the Field Corn Grows".
16:50 - Ray Atkinson, American Farm Bureau's Director of Communication, gives details on the new Farm State of Mind resource directory for those struggling with farm stress and mental health.
23:50 - "To the Beat of Agriculture", meet the 2021 Ohio Pork Council Pork Industry Excellence Award winner, Duane Stateler, and here about his farm that is several generations strong.
32:20 - Hocking County Farm Bureau’s Ivory Harlow shares info about Hocking County Ag Days.
42:20 - Blanchard River Demonstration Farms Network project manager Aaron Heilers talks about what is planned for the farms for 2021.
After beginning to recognize certain, disruptive trends emerging in the farming sector, Columbus-based Aimpoint Research launched a study giving them and the ag clients they serve an extensive look into the future of agriculture. This landmark research revealed the psychology of the farmers who are most likely to lead the industry in 2040 and both the internal and external factors impacting their success. This week on Our Ohio Weekly, learn more about the Farmer of the Future and how the evolution of agriculture might be shaping up.
00:00 - Brett Sciotto, President and CEO of Aimpoint Research and Ohio Farm Bureau's Executive Vice President Adam Sharp talk about Aimpoint's Farmer of the Future research.
23:50 - Meet Farm Girl with Curls blogger, Lauren Eyre, "To the Beat of Agriculture". She is now a member of the Aimpoint Research Agri-Food WatchDesk Team.
32:20 - Gregg Doud, Aimpoint Research VP of Global Situational Awareness and Chief Economist, gives a short and long term outlook for the farm economy.
The Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association represents nearly 2,000 farmers and advocates to protect its members' freedom to farm and supports public policy on members’ behalf. The Ohio Corn Checkoff and the Ohio Small Grains Checkoff, also part of Ohio Corn and Wheat, are voluntary programs approved by Ohio farmers that collect funds from the sale of corn and small grains to develop and expand markets, fund research and provide education about the crops. On this Our Ohio Weekly, meet the executive director of Ohio Corn and Wheat and the association’s president as we talk about corn, ethanol, climate, the environment and more.
00:00 - Learn about Ohio Corn and Wheat and some of the things happening on the farm today.
16:50 - Find out how corn farmers and ethanol can be a big part of the climate conversation and other issues OCWGA have their eye on.
23:50 - "To the Beat of Agriculture", meet John Linder. He farms in Morrow County and is currently the President of the National Corn Growers Association.
32:20 - The movie SILO is being released on May 7th to audiences across North America and will be available on most traditional moviegoing platforms - as well as in movie theatres. The movie's Producer, Sam Goldberg, gives details about the film.
42:20 - The Licking County Farm Bureau is hosting a Farmers Share Breakfast on May 1. Organization Director Kayla Jones shares all of the info.
Spanning over 10,000 acres on three campuses, Ohio State’s College of Food Agricultural and Environmental Sciences boasts an impressive area of learning. But more than acres, they also cover a lot of ground with their offerings for young people wanting careers in agriculture, including 22 bachelor’s degree majors, 26 associate degree majors and 32 minors. On this week’s Our Ohio Weekly, we’ll visit with the Dean in charge of everything happening at OSU’s CFAES, Dr. Cathann Kress.
00:00 - Dean Kress talks about the challenges her faculty and staff faced and how they navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic to continue operations and education.
16:50 - Innovation and research also continued at CFAES. Dean Kress shares some of the new happenings on Waterman Farm.
23:50 - "To the Beat of Agriculture", hear the story of Groveport, Ohio farmer, Katherine Harrison, and her farm that is home to a growing goat yoga operation (among other things). But more than that, Harrison Farm is about planting seeds of perseverance that will sprout when the time comes.
32:20 - Ohio State University Extension is obviously such as important part of Ohio agriculture. Dean Kress talks about how that state-wide outreach been modified to fit the times.
42:20 - Why is unemployment fraud happening in Ohio and what do you do if you are a victim? Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis, discusses the issue and how to protect yourself from unemployment fraud.
Ohio Farm Bureau has new leadership. Former president Frank Burkett left the OFBF board and was elected to the Nationwide board of directors shortly thereafter. Ohio Farm Bureau founded the Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company in 1926, which later became Nationwide. Burkett’s selection to the Nationwide board demonstrates the company’s continued deep connections to the ag industry. On this Our Ohio Weekly, meet newly elected president, Bill Patterson, and learn about his vision and goals in his new Ohio Farm Bureau role.
00:00 - New Ohio Farm Bureau president Bill Patterson talks about the challenges and goals his organization has in 2021 and beyond.
16:50 - Jack Irvin, vice president of public policy with Ohio Farm Bureau shares how proposed legislation in Congress would tax capital gains at death and eliminate stepped-up basis as a way to raise revenue for government spending, causing Farm Bureau to issue an Action Alert to our members.
23:50 - "To the Beat of Agriculture", visit one Perry County farm run by a duo that's not afraid of taking on a challenge. Dr. Tom and Suzie Turner's 215 acre shorthorn operation was built on a reclaimed silica mine.
32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau’s director of state policy, Jenna Reese, gives an update on rural broadband efforts to connect all Ohioans.
42:20 - Shana Angel, Mineral City Watershed Program Assistant for Rural Action shares how an Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation grant led the way for a new program that helps farmers prevent nutrient and sediment loss.
The way we consume media is changing. You could be listening to music or shows in your car or tooling around in your shop or garage as it airs on your local radio station or you might be listening to the podcast version on your mobile device or even a smart speaker. This goes for just about any program being produced these days for any segment of our society...including agriculture. On this Our Ohio Weekly, Ty Higgins visits with ag media mogul, Rob Sharkey, who is changing the way farmers and those involved in agriculture get their entertainment and information.
00:00 - Rob Sharkey, The Shark Farmer, talks about why he started his podcast and how it has boomed into shows on SiriusXM radio and RFD-TV.
23:50 - In honor of Women's History Month, meet Central State ag instructor Dr. Cindy Folck "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - The deadline to sign up for the 2021 ExploreAg Camps is April 2nd. Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation's executive director Kelly Burns has all of the details.
42:20 - USDA/NASS will be starting up their weekly crop progress reports as farmers get back into the fields. Ohio's state statistician Cheryl Turner discusses what goes into putting those reports (and the many others NASS releases) together.
According to the National Safety Council, 1 in 4 car crashes are due to mobile phone usage while driving, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 4.2% of drivers are distracted at any given time between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Add to that that studies show that 41% of car trips between those hours in 2019, involved significant cell phone distractions. The Hands-Free Ohio bill, which revises Ohio’s law relative to distracted driving, will soon be introduced in the Ohio House. On this Our Ohio Weekly, learn more about the issue and what lawmakers are hoping to do about it.
00:00 - Chad Wilson, Associate Vice President, Office of Government Relations with Nationwide talks about Hands-Free Ohio and why the initiative is so important.
16:50 - Brandon Kern, senior director of state and national policy with Ohio Farm Bureau talks about Stepped-Up Basis, how it would work in President Biden's tax plan and what farm families should be aware of.
23:50 - You might know Ohio farmer Cory Atley from his role on the ag reality show Corn Warriors. Learn more about him "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau’s Director of Livestock Policy, Roger High, played a key part to putting county fair guidance together for 2021 and he shares what those guidelines mean for county fairs this year.
42:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau member benefits continue to save members a lot of money. John Marihugh, OFBF senior director of partnerships and member services, gives the 2020 stats and talks about some new member benefits for 2021.
From the food supply chain to rural broadband, regulatory reform to energy solutions, there is a lot on the plate of Ohio Farm Bureau as the organization advocates for the best interests of farmers and rural communities in Ohio. But don’t worry, there is a plan for solving those issues and many more. On this Our Ohio Weekly, learn all about Farm Bureau’s Ohio Agriculture and Rural Communities Action Plan and how that plan is being put into place at the local, state and national levels.
00:00 - Adam Sharp, executive vice president of Ohio Farm Bureau and OFBF’s senior director of state and national policy, Brandon Kern talk about some of their organization's policy issues for 2021.
23:50 - "To the Beat of Agriculture", meet a farmer who had a lucrative career outside of agriculture, but couldn't resist the pull for he and his wife to get back home .
32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau’s Policy Counsel Leah Curtis talks about a recent win in an eminent domain case.
42:20 -Ivory Harlow, organization director for Ross County Farm Bureau, shares the success story of their M.A.D.E. on the Farm event helping area youth stay drug free.
No-till farming is nothing new. It was used as far back as 10,000 years ago. Research shows that adopting no-till practices is good for the soil. But what’s in it for the farmer? And how does No-Till farming fit into water quality, climate-smart farming and carbon sequestration? This week on Our Ohio Weekly, we’ll visit with members of the Ohio No-Till Council to find out why more farmers are becoming interested in No-Till.
00:00 - Ohio No-Till Council President and Hardin County farmer Jan Layman and Council board member and Highland County farmer Nathan Brown talk about why No-Till farming works for them and how the practice is trending upward.
23:50 - Meet a Ross County farmer who walked away from a successful career and took a massive financial gamble to start a farming career "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau’s Senior Director of policy development and environmental policy, Dr. Larry Antosch, talks about the newly revised 590 Nutrient Management Standard.
42:20 - Lindsay Shoup, organization director for Summit County Farm Bureau, gives the details about their upcoming Food Waste Webinar.
The Lake Erie Bill of Rights, or LEBOR ballot initiative didn’t get very far after it was passed by Toledo voters in 2019, thanks to the fast action of Wood County farmers Mark Drewes. Drewes filed a lawsuit to thwart the attempt to give legal rights to Lake Erie and give Toledoans authority to sue farmers on behalf of the lake. The result of Drewes’ lawsuit was a U.S. District Court judge ruling, decisively, that LEBOR was invalid. On this Our Ohio Weekly we will get a behind the scenes look at the case and what its result means for Ohio farmers.
00:00 - Leah Curtis, policy counsel for Ohio Farm Bureau and Tom Fusonie, an attorney with the law firm Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease.
23:50 - Meet educator Becky Cropper and hear how she is positively impacting young lives in southwest Ohio classrooms "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - Jack Irvin, vice president of public policy with Ohio Farm Bureau gives the details on Governor DeWine's budget proposal for 2021-2022 and what it means for agriculture.
42:20 - Maggie Good, Director of Member Engagement for American Farm Bureau, shares info about Ag Safety Awareness Week.
Barnwood Builders follows five fun-loving West Virginians who salvage antique log cabins and barns. The show celebrates the American pioneer spirit, and pays tribute to the hard work and craftsmanship that built our nation. They have even made quite a few trips through rural Ohio. On this Our Ohio Weekly, meet the foreman of DIY Network’s Barnwood Builders, Mark Bowe, as he talks about the show, his work crew and why Ohio barns have become some of his favorites.
00:00 - Barnwood Builders star Mark Bowe.
23:50 - Barn artist Bob Kroeger talks about his journey to preserve rural Ohio history "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - Jason Berkland, Associate Vice President of Risk Management with Nationwide gives details about Grain Bin Safety Week and the Nominate your Fire Department Contest.
42:20 - The ARC/PLC signup deadline is March 15th. Find out about an upcoming webinar designed to help farmers make their election decisions from Ohio State Extension Educator, Mary Griffith.
With a new administration in the White House, comes a new cabinet of leaders in all major departments of the U.S., including Transportation, Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency and Agriculture. The man tapped to lead the farm and food sector has some experience in that area. Tom Vilsack actually served as the Secretary of Agriculture under the Obama Administration. On this Our Ohio Weekly, hear some of Secretary Vilsack’s ideas for his return to USDA and learn about a 2020 success story in the work of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation.
00:00 - Secretary Tom Vilsack talks about water quality and diversifying America's food supply system and Mike Townsley, chairman of Bob Evans Farms/Post Refrigerated Retail shares about his involvement on the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Board.
16:50 - OFBF Foundation Executive Director Kelly Burns talks about the successes of 2020 and some scholarship opportunities.
23:50 - New Foundation Board member, Jenna Gregorich, tells her story of being the first in her family involved in farming "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau Ag Week kicks off Monday and OFBF's Jenna Reese has all of the details.
42:20 - Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague shares information about the AgLINK program, giving farmers a discounted interest rate for operating expenses.
While net cash farm income in 2020 was above the average net cash farm income for the 2013–2019 period, increased government payments to farmers accounted for a substantial portion of that rise. Although that certainly helped alleviate the immediate need for relief due to the pandemic, the future remains uncertain. As you might imagine, those in the farm banking world are keeping a close eye how their customers are fairing. On this Our Ohio Weekly, we get a near and long-term outlook for agriculture from the CEO of Farm Bureau Bank.
00:00 - Farm Bureau Bank CEO WIll Hileman.
23:50 - Jim Croskey, beekeeper from Holmes County was recently recognized nationally for his craft. He tells his story "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - Land o Lakes CEO Beth Ford spoke to American Farm Bureau members at the 2021 Virtual Convention and shared her thoughts on the issues of rural broadband and climate smart farming practices.
42:20 - OFBF Policy Counsel Leah Curtis talks about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout for Ohio and if taking the vaccine can be required by employers.
Often a vision for retiring from a career in agriculture may be a bit different than most. Options can range from staying on the farm and helping during harvest and planting, just tinkering around the shop, or selling and moving to Florida. Whatever the vision and whatever the profession, having the financial resources to live their best lives during this time is something everyone would agree is important. On this Our Ohio Weekly, hear from one expert who is helping to prepare farmers, agribusinesses and their employees for retirement.
00:00 - Rich Ohde, Regional Vice President of Workplace Solutions for Nationwide, talks about what farmers need to do to plan for retirement.
16:50 - Mike Rowe visited with American Farm Bureau members at AFBF's Virtual Convention earlier this month to talk about his mission of changing the way America looks at skilled labor.
23:50 - Justin and Kristen Dickey talk about fulfilling their farming dreams and their involvement in Ohio Farm Bureau's Young Ag Professionals program "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - OFBF Vice President of Membership, Paul Lyons talks about the value of membership and how to sign up to join Ohio Farm Bureau and Ohio Restaurant Association's Homa Moheimani gives the details on the Pizza with a Purpose week benefiting ORA's Employee Relief Fund.
42:20 - Find out about Ohio State University Extension's "Farm Office LIVE" webinars from Barry Ward.
We have finally turned the calendar to 2021 and although the challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic all still with us, this new year will be a time to look back at those challenges and make changes that will alleviate the problems we faced should something like a global pandemic ever happen again. One of those challenges on the minds of Ohio Farm Bureau and its members has to do with the food supply system, which saw issues on both the production and processing sides in 2020. On the next Our Ohio Weekly, hear about lessons learned and steps being taken to prevent a repeat.
00:00 - Dr. Dennis Summers, Asst. State Veterinarian with the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Health and Roger High, director of livestock policy with Ohio Farm Bureau discuss Ohio's meat processing industry and the challenges of 2020
23:50 - "To the Beat of Agriculture", Hamler, Ohio's Nate Like talks about what it took to get his new Buckeye Meats and Processing facility up and running.
32:20 - More of Ty's conversation with ODA's Dr. Summers and OFBF's Roger High.
42:20 - John Kaiser, Private Lands Administrator with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Wildlife gives all of the details on the H2Ohio Water Quality Incentive Program (WQIP).
COVID-19 has, without a doubt, fundamentally changed the food system and consumer attitudes but what we can expect in 2021. What shifts are happening in purchasing behaviors? How is the food industry evolving to adjust? What’s ahead in the new year? On this Our Ohio Weekly, hear from industry experts and members of the Center for Food Integrity’s Consumer Trust Insights Council to find out if how we get, prepare or even order our food will ever be the same on the other side of a global pandemic.
00:00 - Susan Schwallie, President of Food and Beverage, NPD Group and Kevin Ryan, founder of Malachite Strategy give their insights on the future of food.
23:50 - "To the Beat of Agriculture", Educator Kelly Rickabaugh shares her passion for the field of ag she's in and how she empowers her students' life and future career choices.
32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau's senior director of state and national policy, Brandon Kern, talks about what the new COVID stimulus package has for the farm sector.
42:20 - American Farm Bureau's Melissa Sanders Carrol fills in all of the details on this week's 2021 AFBF Virtual Annual Convention.
Earlier this summer, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) pegged the severity of the 2020 algal blooms on Lake Erie at a 4.5 on a scale of 10, one of the smaller forecasts in recent years. Final data concluded that the actual bloom came in at a 3. What goes into these forecasts? What does water quality research look like in Northwest Ohio and how will initiatives like H2Ohio impact the future severity of algal blooms? Take an in-depth dive into Ohio’s water quality on this Our Ohio Weekly.
00:00 - Dr. Laura Johnson, Director of the National Center for Water Quality Research at Heidelberg University and Jordan Hoewischer, Director of Water Quality and Research for Ohio Farm Bureau discuss water quality research.
23:50 - Ohio farmer Allen Dean talks about his successful use of cover crops "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - Dr. Johnson and Jordan Hoewischer talk about the complexities of water quality research and what the future holds.
In 2019, Governor Mike DeWine introduced his H2Ohio water quality initiative. The plan, which farmers in the Maumee River Watershed were able to sign up for earlier this year, is an investment in targeted solutions to help reduce phosphorus runoff and prevent algal blooms through a number of ways, including increased implementation of agricultural best practices and the creation of wetlands, improve wastewater infrastructure and replacing failing home septic systems. Despite a global pandemic, the rollout of H2Ohio began earlier this year. On the latest Our Ohio Weekly, find out how the initial rollout went and what the next year looks like for the program.
00:00 - Janelle Mead, CEO of Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Kris Swartz, Chairman of the Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative talk about the future of H2Ohio
23:50 - Leah Fullenkamp, founder of In the Blink of a Fly, tells her story ‘To the Beat of Agriculture’
32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Council, Leah Curtis, talks about liabilities that may fall onto Landowners.
For the first time in its more than 100 year history, Ohio Farm Bureau’s annual meeting was largely held remotely across the state this past week. The yearly face-to-face gathering of members from all around Ohio was prohibited by orders from the Ohio Department of Health limiting indoor gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this first-of-its-kind annual meeting allowed members to get involved as much as they chose from the comfort of their home, physically together with other delegates from their county or while they are working on the farm. On this Our Ohio Weekly, host Ty Higgins shares some of the many highlights of this year’s Annual Meeting.
00:00 - Ohio Farm Bureau's executive vice president, Adam Sharp, addresses members during the organization's 102nd Annual Meeting.
16:50 - Frank Burkett, Ohio Farm Bureau president, recaps a challenging, yet successful 2020 for members.
23:50 - Peggy Whitcomb shares all about the National Society Decendants of American Farmers "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - Organization Director Kim Harless talks about Scioto County Farm Bureau's award winning Conservation School is Cool event.
42:20 - American Farm Bureau chief economist Dr. John Newton shares results of a new survey that show consumers still have a high trust for farmers.
Creating opportunities and increasing demand for soybeans means farmers that grow the commodity will get more money for every bushel. That is the task for the Ohio Soybean Council, more commonly known as the Soybean Checkoff. Promoting effective policies and legislation at the state and national levels for those same farmers falls in the purview of the Ohio Soybean Association. Hear from leaders from both organizations on this Our Ohio Weekly.
00:00 - Kirk Merritt, Executive Director of the Ohio Soybean Council and Ohio Soybean Association and Ryan Rhodes, President of the Ohio Soybean Association. Marion County Farmer talk about Ohio's soybean industry.
23:50 - "To the Beat of Agriculture" meet Christy Bachman, winner of the 2020 Golden Owl Award, given to Ohio's top ag educator.
32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau's Melinda Witten gives all of the details on the organization's first ever "remote" Annual Meeting.
42:20 - Henry County Farm Bureau won a County Award of Excellence Award from American Farm Bureau. That county's Organization Director, Roy Norman, talks about the nationally recognized Farmer and Landowner Appreciation Dinner event.
00:00 - Meet the Field Work Podcast crew
23:50 - An extremely challenging childhood yields a fruitful life for Matt Niswander. Learn about this Tennessean's mental health story "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau's Dr. Larry Antosch discusses his new role on EPA's Great Lakes Advisory Board.
42:20 - Hear how Northeast Ohio county Farm Bureaus are part of a 9,000 pound pork donation.
The Agribusiness industry in Ohio includes the entire crop and livestock supply chain, from production through distribution to final sale, as well as industries such as landscaping, parks, and golf courses. A new study looked at the career opportunities in this space and the data is promising for those looking for a career in agribusiness with jobs spanning far beyond barns and fields. What types of career opportunities does the state's #1 industry hold for Ohio’s up and coming workforce and will there be enough of that workforce to go around? Find out on this Our Ohio Weekly.
00:00 - Dr. Bill LaFayette, owner, Regionomics® and Dan Durheim, Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation board member and Associate Vice President Sponsor Relations - Nationwide share the results of the study
23:50 - Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation scholarship recipient Cora Dorman tells her story ‘To the Beat of Agriculture’
32:20 - Wade Smith, District 2 trustee of Ohio Farm Bureau and chairman of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Board gives a Foundation Update
Over five decades and five continents, Dr. Rattan Lal, a Distinguished University Professor in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), has reduced hunger by pioneering agricultural methods across the globe that not only restore degraded soil but also reduce global warming. His research recently paid off in a big way as he won the 2020 World Food Prize and $500,000. On this Our Ohio Weekly, host Ty Higgins visits with Dr. Lal from some of his research plots on Ohio State’s Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Lab.
00:00 - 2020 World Food Prize Laureate Dr. Rattan Lal
23:50 - "The Harmless Farmer" Andy Detwiler, who lost both arms in a tragic farm accident, tells his story "To the Beat of Agriculture"
32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau policy counsel Leah Curtis gives insights on the liabilities of being a landowner
42:20 - American Farm Bureau's Maggie Good talks about the Think F.A.S.T. farm safety program for youth
From chops to loins, ham to bacon, pork is the most consumed meat in the world. Pork production in the U.S. is worth an estimated $23.4 billion per year, with around 26% of the nearly 2.2 million metric tons of pork and pork products exported to other countries. Pigs consume billions of bushels of grain and oilseeds, giving a steady market to row crop farmers and they provide income for more than 60,000 pork producers, primarily in the Midwest. This week, learn more about Ohio pork production and how the industry has weathered the challenges of 2020 and beyond.
00:00 - Ohio Pork Council executive vice president Cheryl Day
23:50 - Licking County, Ohio hog farmer Brad Heimerl tells his family's story ‘To the Beat of Agriculture’
32:20 - Dr. Chris Winslow, director of Ohio State's Ohio Sea Grant College Program gives some insights to the small Lake Erie algal bloom of 2020
The Supreme Court of Ohio was founded in 1802, established in the state constitution as a three-member court, holding courts in each county every year. The constitution was also approved that year, one year before Ohio officially became a state. The court now has seven members, a chief justice and six associate justices, each serving six-year terms and a total of 1550 other employees. On this Our Ohio Weekly, meet two of the Justices, Judi French and Sharon Kennedy, and learn about Ohio’s judicial structure and other functions of the highest court in the state.
00:00 - Ohio Supreme Court Justices French and Kennedy
23:50 - Ohio teens are “rescuing” food that would otherwise be discarded. Learn about Jee Foods ‘To the Beat of Agriculture’
32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau leaders were given an opportunity to visit with USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, via Zoom, to discuss trade, dairy pricing, regulations, labor and more.
International trade has a major impact on U.S. agriculture. Exports are crucial in providing a market for a major share of crop production and a growing share of meat production. Efforts are underway to find new global partners that have a demand for U.S. ag products, deemed the safest, most abundant and affordable in the world. These new markets could lead to higher farm prices and greater returns to producers. Leading those efforts is Ted McKinney, USDA undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs. Ohio Farm Bureau’s Adam Sharp and Ty Higgins recently visited with Mr. McKinney about the current state of trade.
00:00 - USDA Undersecretary Ted McKinney and Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Adam Sharp
23:50 - Nicole Reno tells her story of winning the 2020 Ohio Signature Food Contest for her product, the RO Bar, "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - Margaret Jodlowski, a new assistant professor at Ohio State's Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences talks about some of her latest research.
42:20 - USDA's Marlen Eve gives the details of the 2020 Next Gen Fertilizer Challenge, a project created in partnership with the EPA.
One of the sessions of the 2020 Virtual Farm Science Review was held by Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences’ Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics, as their team focused on the Value Chains in Food and Agriculture. Our Ohio Weekly host Ty Higgins moderated that session as the panel talked about how corn, cattle, pork, milk and other sectors have adjusted to reduced ethanol production, lower prices and supply chain logistics due to COVID-19 and what the current financial situation looks like.
00:00 - Ben Brown, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Agricultural Risk Management, talks about how the ag economy has been impacted by COVID-19.
16:50 - Dr. Ian Sheldon, Professor and Andersons Chair of Agricultural Marketing, Trade and Policy discusses the impact of the Coronavirus on the Global marketplace.
23:50 - Meet the 2020 National Miss Agriculture USA, Ava Lonneman, "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - Sarah Black, Great Lakes Ag Labor Services interim general manager and director of business operations at Michigan Farm Bureau, shares details about Ohio Farm Bureau's newest member benefit.
42:20 - Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose explains the upcoming deadlines coming up for those wanting to be involved in the 2020 elections.
Ohio Farm Bureau is the textbook definition of a grassroots organization. Policies and issues that the state’s largest farm organization takes up on the behalf of agriculture are developed and voted on by their members. The process for putting future policies together started last month when Twenty Ohio Farm Bureau leaders began serving on the 2020 Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Policy Development Committee. Meet 2 of the committee members and hear about some of the issues they are considering.
00:00 - Dr. Larry Antosch, Director of Policy Development and Environmental Policy, Ohio Farm Bureau Board Member Adele Flynn (District 3) and Paulding County farmer Abram Klopfenstein.
23:50 - Frog Pond Farm in Canfield, Ohio had a very big country star as a customer recently. Farmer David Coakley tells the story To the Beat of Agriculture.
32:20 - As the election nears, American Farm Bureau's Michael Sistak shares details about the IFarmIVote initiative.
42:20 - Doug Deardorff with USDA-NRCS gives specifics on the agency's New and Beginning Farmer program.
Little data exists on the millions of Americans who own and lease agricultural land but do not farm it themselves. That segment is known as non-operator landowners, or NOLs and many of them are women. In 2018 American Farmland Trust began surveying NOLs across the country to gain knowledge and understanding of who these non-landowner operators are, their thinking and the philosophy about agriculture and how they interact with the farmers they work with as far as agreements, conservation other farming practices go. How much different were the results based on gender? Hear about some of the results of this survey on this Our Ohio Weekly.
00:00 - Dr. Gabrielle Roesch-McNally, director of American Farmland Trust’s Women for the Land initiative, shares Non-Operating Landowners survey results.
23:50 - Dreams on Horseback founder Jennifer Hansen talks about why she started the organization and how grants from the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation are being utilized.
32:20 - Ohio State University President Dr. Kristina M. Johnson and Vice President for Agricultural Admissions and CFAES Dean Cathann Kress discuss working through the COVID-19 pandemic.
42:20 - Farm Bureau Organization Director Ivory Harlow talks about new FoodPreneur School opportunities.
Farming is often a family run operation. As with any business, proper business planning and estate planning ensures that future generations can carry on the job you have worked so hard to build and maintain. Do you have a transition plan in place for when it's time to hand down the farm? Waiting until you are ready to retire or not having a plan in place when you pass away can put the entire farm at risk. On this Our Ohio Weekly, learn about Land As Your Legacy, a program that was created specifically for farmers to help them make plans for the future of their operations.
00:00 - Land As Your Legacy relationship manager Lauren Glovac.
23:50 - Mike Boyert knows the importance of a solid transition plan. He how he has make a long term plan for his farm "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - This year's Ohio Farm Bureau Discussion Meet is taking on a new format. Program Specialist Kelsey Turner has the details.
42:20 - Licking County Farm Bureau Organization Director Kayla Jones shares info about the Wine Craze Corn Maize.
The farm economy, trade and rural broadband are just some of the topics that would have been discussed as members of the Young Ag Professionals were set to travel on their Leadership Trip to Washington. As with almost everything in our world today, this Our Ohio Weekly is helping those new and beginning farmers have their concerns addressed...virtually.
00:00 - American Farm Bureau's Chief Economist Dr. John Newton and Managing Director of Advocacy and Political Affairs Cody Lyons.
16:50 - American Farm Bureau's Director of Congressional Relations RJ Karney.
23:50 - Meet this year's Ohio Farm Bureau Young Ag Professionals Committee Chairs Charlie and Casey Ellington "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau's Director of State Policy Jenna Beadle.
42:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau Young Ag Professionals Co-Chair Aaron Harter.
There are committees for just about everything in the US Congress. From infrastructure to finance, intelligence to ethics, these committees take a deeper look into issues that may help or hinder Americans. One committee that Farm Bureau keeps an eye on is the agriculture committee. A Representative from Ohio was recently named to that committee. On this Our Ohio Weekly, a visit with Congressman Troy Balderson about his newest role and his ambitions for it.
00:00 - Congressman Troy Balderson
23:50 - Tyler Beadnell's hog recently raised a lot of money for a worthy cause at this year's Columbiana County Fair. Tyler and his mom, Tina tell the story "To the Beat of Agriculture"
32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau's Amy Milam discusses new drainage legislation currently working its way through the Statehouse
42:20 - This year's Farm Science Review is going virtual. FSR Manager Nick Zachrich shares the details
During the onset of COVID-19, many industries had to adjust in real time, multiple times, in order to find a way through the uncertainties of the Coronavirus Pandemic. In our nation’s capital, the American Farm Bureau Federation quickly moved to ensure continuity and effectiveness of their operations and for all of agriculture in the US. On this Our Ohio Weekly, Ty Higgins visits with AFBF President Zippy Duvall about his personal COVID-19 experience and about work being done on farmers’ behalf at the national level.
00:00 - American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall
23:50 - "Farm Babe" Michelle Miller tells her story "To the Beat of Agriculture"
32:20 - Meeka Mohler, owner of Michael's, the winner of the 2020 Ohio Farm Bureau Ohio Ice Cream Battle
42:20 - American Farm Bureau's Terri Moore gives details for the Farm Dog of the Year contest
Farming often is listed as one of the most stressful occupations, yet most farmers say they wouldn’t trade it for any other job. However, stress that goes unrecognized and is not managed well can play havoc with the farm family and the farm operation. On this Our Ohio Weekly, find out how to recognize the common symptoms of stress, effective ways to manage it and learn about resources like the Rural Resilience Program.
00:00 - Eric Karbowski, Community Behavioral Health Extension Educator, Michigan State
16:50 - David White, Account Manager for Government Relations, Ag Credit and Joe Dagher, Government and Legislative Affairs Officer, Farm Credit Mid America gives details about the Rural Resilience Program
23:50 - Jason Meadows, Host of the Ag State of Mind Podcast
32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau policy counsel Leah Curtis discusses new, lower CAUV values
42:20 - Rebecca Singer from the Center for Innovative Food Technology talks about the 11th Annual Ohio Signature Food Contest
The air we breath, the water we drink and the ground we walk on are some things that many of us take for granted. Clear air, clean water and food are vital for life. For farmers, clean air, adequate water and healthy soils are vital to make a living. On this Our Ohio Weekly, learn how government agencies, private industries and farmers are helping to strike a balance between growing the food we eat while protecting the natural resources we need.
00:00 - The growth of prescription agriculture
02:00 - Natural Resources Conservation Services Chief Matt Lohr
16:50 - Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler
23:50 - Ohio FFA President Bethany Starlin tells her story "To the Beat of Agriculture"
32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau director of water quality and research Jordan Hoewischer gives details of the latest Water Quality Status Report
42:20 - Find out more about the Ohio Youth Livestock Expo from executive committee member Lisa Shearer
What changes may have to happen so a derailment of our food supply never happens again? The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences recently hosted a webinar to cover the recent woes of America’s Food Supply System.
00:00 - Sustaining Our Food Supply Chain - Kurt Loudenback, CEO and owner of Grand Prairie Foods, Dr. Sally Rockey, Executive Director of the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research and Mike Townsley, Chairman, Bob Evans Farms/Post Refrigerated Retail
23:50 - "To the Beat of Agriculture", Richard Cocks talks about a new Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation scholarship in his name
32:20 - Leah Curtis shares important info about home butchering in "Legal with Leah"
42:20 - Hear how Northeast Ohio county Farm Bureaus are part of a 9,000 pound pork donation.
Things are far from normal as the COVID-19 pandemic shows no signs of going away, but as the spread slowed and restrictions eased, Ohio began to open back up. Businesses are getting back to business and some of us will be able to enjoy a county fair this year, in one way, shape or form. On this Our Ohio Weekly, learn how county fairs are going about making their decisions for a 2020 event. Plus, a check in on an industry hit extremely hard by the pandemic, the horse racing industry.
00:00 - Ohio State Professor wins the World Food Prize
4:00 - Ohio Fair Managers Association President Rod Arter
16:50 - Renee Mancino, executive director of the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association and Dave Basler, executive director of the Ohio Horsemen Benevolent and Protection Association
23:50 - Union County farmer Melissa Burns talks about being one of the stars of CBS' Tough As Nails
32:20 - Tim Hicks discusses upcoming financial planning webinars
42:20 - Ohio Beef Council's Elizabeth Harsh shares details about the Beef Families Care Fund
On this Our Ohio Weekly, learn about an amazing group with a mission of introducing veterans to agriculture. The Farmer Veteran Coalition was founded by Michael O’Gorman in 2008 with a handful of veterans looking to begin their farming careers. Today, there are 20,000 members and the organization is paving the way for more and more returning veterans to make the transition from the battlefield to a field of a completely different nature.
00:00 - Farmer Veteran Coalition CEO Michael O'Gorman
23:50 - Ohio Farmer Veteran Shane Wood tells his story "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau's Kelsey Turner shares the results of the 2020 Ohio Youth Capital Challenge.
42:20 - Remembering Yvonne Lesicko.
Conversations about cover crops, conservation tillage, and water management are just some of the topics you will hear about when you tune in to the Field Work Podcast, which is now in its 2nd season. Field Work is dedicated to new discussions about agriculture, sustainability and the experiences of those on farming’s front lines. On this episode of Our Ohio Weekly, Ty chats with the podcast's co-hosts Zach Johnson and Mitchell Hora.
00:00 - Meet the Field Work Podcast crew
23:50 - Learn about American Farm Bureau's PAL program from Sarah Ison "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau's Dr. Larry Antosch discusses his new role on EPA's Great Lakes Advisory Board.
42:20 - Find out about Coshocton County Farm Bureau's upcoming ATV Farm Tour.
Venture capital, technology and innovation are all pretty common words used in places like Silicon Valley, but you can also see them put to work in rural America. On this Our Ohio Weekly, hear about how current innovations are being delivered to farmers of all types and how future inventions will make their way from a startup’s idea all the way to the farm.
00:00 - USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue
23:50 - Ohio farmer Allen Dean talks about his successful use of cover crops "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - Meet the new Executive Director of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Kelly Burns.
42:20 - Learn all about the American Farm Bureau Federations Ag Innovation Challenge.
Millions of acres of America’s agricultural land were developed or converted to uses that threaten farming between 2001 and 2016, according to “Farms Under Threat: The State of the States,” a new report by American Farmland Trust. How is Ohio being impacted? Get details of the report on Our Ohio Weekly.
00:00 - American Farmland Trust CEO John Piotti
16:50 - American Farmland Trust Midwest Director Kris Reynolds
23:50 - Ohio farmer Vicki Vance shares her AgriPOWER experience "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau's Roger High and Christy Montoya talk about being on Governor DeWine's "County Fair Task Force" and some of the guidelines put in place.
42:20 - A big pork donation in Pickaway and Delaware Counties help farmers and the communities.
Inspiring the less than 2% of those in agriculture to keep fighting for what the industry believes in. That is ag influencer Jay Hill’s goal. His story started with 10 acres and one tractor and is now over 17,000 acres with 120 employees. Now, he takes his phone all around the farm to share the good and the bad with his over 40,000 Instagram followers. Hear his message for farmers of all types on this Our Ohio Weekly.
00:00 - A Conversation with ag influencer Jay Hill
23:50 - Dave Stynchula shares his story of working with autistic individuals on his farm To the Beat of Agriculture
32:20 - Ohio State Extension's Ben Brown gives details on the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
Over the past 2 months, as farmers and those all along Ohio’s food supply system have continued their essential work, Ohio Farm Bureau has been hard at work as well. Advocating and educating to help members and everyone involved in agriculture navigate through the many challenges brought on by COVID-19. On this Our Ohio Weekly, here from two leaders of Ohio’s largest farm organization about the efforts being made at the state and national level.
00:00 - Ohio Farm Bureau's director of water quality and research, Jordan Hoewischer discusses the revamped launch of H2Ohio.
05:10 - Ohio Farm Bureau president Frank Burkett shares the challenges farmers like him have been facing due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
23:50 - Lisa Kahlig talks about her experience in Farm Bureau's Women's Communication Boot Camp "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau's executive vice president Adam Sharp covers the myriad of ways his organization has worked with state and national leaders to share the current needs of members and what long-term issues they may be facing.
There have been countless stories about the devastating blow that COVID-19 has landed on many industries, businesses and individuals. Millions of Ohioans are seeing their professional and personal situations becoming more challenging with every day that goes by. The Global Coronavirus pandemic has even wreaked havoc on those trying to help those in need, like food banks – who continue to feed as many people as possible as volunteers and food are in short supply.
00:00 - Pig farmer Ben Barcovtch gives details on the #giveapig GoFundMe page.
03:15 - Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of the Ohio Association of Food Banks, talks about the challenges pantries across Ohio are facing due to the COVID-19 crisis.
23:50 - Lena Schlabach's Farmhouse Frocks has begun making face masks for her community and for major companies all over America. She tells her story "To the Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - On Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer, Robert Moore and Kelly Brakefield Moore from Wright & Moore Law Co talk about things to consider when wanting to transition farms to the next generation.
42:20 - Brown County Farm Bureau member Jamie Loudon talks about how he, his wife, Rena, and many other Farm Bureau members are pulling together to help their neighbors in need.
A new study titled Eating 2020: How COVID-19 Will Change Consumer Engagement With Food, surveyed more than 1,800 participants and looked at purchasing trends before, during and after the COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions.
00:00 - Learn about Ohio State University Extension's new local producer resource.
4:15 - Inspire PR Group's Hinda Mitchell gives insights from their Eating 2020: How COVID-19 Will Change Consumer Engagement With Food, survey
16:50 - Dustin and Casey Jo Converse talk about how their freezer beef business has boomed
23:50 - Wayne County farmer Matt Vodraska tells his story "To the Beat of Agriculture"
32:20 - Leah Curtis covers the ins and outs of Animals at Large laws in the latest Legal with Leah
42:20 - Find out about 3 brand new benefits available to Ohio Farm Bureau members
The Coronavirus pandemic has put a strain on just about every business sector across the country. One of the biggest impacts has been on the restaurant industry. The restaurants that will survive most likely have had to do things much differently than their original business model would allow. Some restaurants even morphed into what are now known as grocerants. Details on this unique concept that is keeping some restaurants in business on this Our Ohio Weekly.
00:00 - Hear how some Ohio restaurants, like Frisch's Big Boy, FUSIAN sushi and Stauf's Coffee Roasters have revamped their menus to meet new demands of consumers by becoming grocerants.
16:50 - Arlan Suderman, Chief Commodities Economist for the FCM Division of INTL FCStone Financial Inc. gives some market insights.
23:50 - Meet farmer and diesel mechanic Justina Riesch in this week's To the Beat of Agriculture
32:20 - Chris Henney, CEO of the Ohio Agribusiness Association checks in with how his industry is handling COVID-19 challenges
42:20 - Tuscarawas County Farm Bureau is teaming up with local dairy farmers to deliver much needed milk to the community.
It is common practice in the military to put together contingency plans for those in the service and their families. These plans are developed for three phases...before deployment, during deployment and after deployment and they focus on trouble spots that many service men and women deal with, including morale, productivity and burnout. Turns out the idea of those types of contingency plans work for those of us that have had to change many aspects of our lives, both personally and professionally due to COVID-19.
00:00 - Ivory Harlow, former Army and National Guard member and current Organization Director for Fairfield, Hocking, Pickaway and Ross County Farm Bureaus.
16:50 - Ag Influencer Brian Brown from YouTube's Brian's Farming Videos (Part 1)
23:50 - Greenhouse and Nursery farmer Gayle Hansen talks about being essential in this week's To the Beat of Agriculture
32:20 - Find out about the Farm, Food and Agribusiness COVID-19 Impact Survey
42:20 - Ag Influencer Brian Brown from YouTube's Brian's Farming Videos (Part 2)
COVID-19 has impacted almost every sector of Ohio’s food production system and the range of that impact is far reaching. This week we’ll hear from the state’s commodity groups about how their farmers are being affected directly from the global coronavirus pandemic and the steps they are taking to keep our food supply readily available.
00:00 - Dr. John Newton, Chief Economist, American Farm Bureau Federation / Tadd Nicholson, Executive Director, Ohio Corn and Wheat / Kirk Merritt, Executive Director, Ohio Soybean Association
16:50 - Dave Shoup, President, Ohio Pork Council
23:50 - Dairy farmer Rose Hartschuh talks about her farm's first time ever being told to dump milk "To the Beat of Agriculture"
32:20 - Elizabeth Harsh, Executive Director, Ohio Cattlemen's Association
42:20 - Scott Higgins, President and CEO, American Dairy Association Mideast
As people age, they may need a caregiver. While that role can be fulfilling, it also can be exhausting and sometimes isolating. Anyone who cares for another likely has experienced the stress and possibly the feelings of helplessness that can come with taking care of an ailing person. Those feelings may be enhanced due to the concerns of older citizens during the COVID-19 crisis. Managing caregiver burnout, rural health strategies for using tele-medicine, helpful gadgets and technology, and local resources for caregivers will all be discussed this week on Our Ohio Weekly.
00:00 - Laura Cherry Akgerman, Disability Services Coordinator, OSU Extension talks about the newly-formed Caregiver Support Network.
23:50 - The story of Amberly Snyder “To the Beat of Agriculture”, Snyder is a rodeo cowgirl who’s paralyzing car accident didn’t stop her from riding again.
32:20 - Find out how to get involved in Ohio Farm Bureau’s AgriPOWER Program
42:20 - How might the Coronavirus pandemic affect how all Americans are accounted for? Census leaders from Ohio and Washington D.C. give an update.
How is Ohio’s food system holding up amid the Coronavirus pandemic? Find out in this Our Ohio Weekly as Ty visits with representatives from sectors all along the food chain. Hear from Ohio Farm Bureau executive vice president Adam Sharp about how agriculture is being impacted, Ohio Restaurant Association CEO John Barker talks about the major hit his industry is taking, small farmer Bill Brown is adapting to the challenging situation and community grocer Scott Rodhe gives some perspective from his vantage point.
00:00 - Adam Sharp, executive vice president of Ohio Farm Bureau
16:50 - John Barker, CEO of the Ohio Restaurant Association
23:50 - Small farmer Bill Brown talks about his adjustments to adapt to COVID-19 woes ‘To the Beat of Agriculture’
32:20 - Scott Rodhe, owner of Rodhe's IGA Marketplace in Millersburg, Ohio
As usual with the annual Ohio Farm Bureau County Presidents’ Trip to Washington DC, there was not a lack of things to talk about when it comes to issues impacting agriculture and rural America. From Corona Virus, to new trade deals around the globe, the rural broadband here at home, Farm Bureau representatives made their voices heard about the topics that matter to them. This week on Our Ohio Weekly, hear what our County Presidents heard from Senator Sherrod Brown and American Farm Bureau Chief Economist John Newton.
00:00 - U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown
16:50 - American Farm Bureau Chief Economist John Newton
23:50 - Ohio teens are “rescuing” food that would otherwise be discarded. Learn about Jee foods ‘To the Beat of Agriculture’
32:20 - Have a gas lease? Find out about a court case that could impact that agreement with ‘Legal with Leah’
42:20 - Get the results of a new food shopping survey
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Dorothy Pelanda announced earlier this year that $30 million in H2Ohio funding will be available for Ohio farmers in more than a dozen counties. The funds will be awarded as part of Governor DeWine’s H2Ohio plan to reduce agricultural phosphorus runoff and prevent algal blooms in Lake Erie. This week on Our Ohio Weekly, find out more about where this funding is coming from and how to apply for it as Ty Higgins visits with Clark Hutson, H2Ohio WLEB Program Coordinator with the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
00:00 - H2Ohio WLEB Program Coordinator Clark Hutson
14:40 - OFBF Director of Water Quality and Research Jordan Hoewischer
21:55 - Gracee Workman tells her story about a path through a dark time of addiction and mental illness to a bright farming career 'To the Beat of Agriculture'.
30:05 - OFBF's Tim Hicks, Business Development Field Director, gives details about the Workers' Compensation Group Rating Program and online BWC courses being offered online.
Shortly after the 2018 Farm Bill legalized industrial hemp, many states ramped up efforts to legalize the crop within their borders. For Ohio, that opportunity came just last year when Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 57 into law, which created a hemp cultivation license to be administered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. ODA’s Executive Director of the agency’s hemp program will give us the ins and outs of Ohio’s newest crop.
00:00 - Ohio Department of Agriculture's Hemp Program Director David Miran and Ohio Farm Bureau Director of State Policy Tony Seegers.
23:50 -Hear about the unique road to agriculture the 2020 Ohio Farm Bureau Discussion Meet Winner, Micah Mensing, took "To The Beat of Agriculture".
32:20 - What comes with a Farm Bureau membership? Ohio Farm Bureau Vice President Paul Lyons talks about the perks.
42:00 - Find out about Ohio Farm Bureau's upcoming Night with the Blue Jackets.
To help Ohio farmers and agribusinesses finance the up-front costs of this year’s growing season, Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague opened the application period for the Ag-LINK program early. Hear more about the program and how you can apply for an interest rate reduction.
00:00 - Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague
16:50 - Ohio's Forage Woes
23:50 - To the Beat of Agriculture - Tyrone and Megan Brannon
32:20 - Field Day with Jordan Hoewischer and Climate Scientist Aaron Wilson
42:00 - Franklin County Farm Bureau's Women of Ag Brunch
45:30 - The Tyrade - Leave Farming to the Farmers
00:00 - For the first time since small towns were settled, the number of deaths in rural America now outpaces births. Vast regions of the nation are literally dying. Or are they? In the new book Total Town Makeover, author Andrew McCrea takes you on a journey to places that are very much alive!
23:50 - To the Beat of Agriculture, meet Ohio 3rd grader and award winning cabbage grower Lola Robenstine and find out what goes in to growing an 18 pound cabbage.
32:20 - This week's Legal with Leah covers the Frost Law and what farmers need to know when it comes to transporting goods this time of year.
42:00 - Learn about a school that helps farmers become Foodpreneurs, giving them the skills to sell their products in more places.
It is no secret that agriculture is a hazardous occupation. From large equipment to heavy loads to unpredictable livestock, there is the possibility for an accident around every corner. This week is National Grain Bin Safety Week and Ty visits with experts from Ohio State for some tips to help minimize grain entrapment situations.
00:00 - Dee Jepsen and Lisa Pfieffer with Ohio State and Jason Berkland with Nationwide talk about grain bin safety and Nationwide's Nominate Your Fire Department contest, awarding local fire departments life saving technology and training for grain bin entrapment.
16:50 - Producer of the new movie, Silo, Sam Goldberg.
23:50 - FarmHer Founder Marji Guyler-Alanis shares her story To The Beat of Agriculture.
32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau's Roger High and Amy Milam talk about new Coyote hunting and trapping proposals from ODNR.
42:00 - Ashland, Holmes, Medina and Wayne County Farm Bureaus share how a new grain bin safety facility will be utilized by first responders from all over the country.
There are many challenges facing agriculture today, from labor shortages to consumer perceptions to mental health and opioid addiction in rural Ohio to name a few. Those are just some of the difficult issues that were taken on recently by three contestants who took part in the 2020 Ohio Farm Bureau Discussion Meet. This week on Our Ohio Weekly, hear how they would tackle those obstacles in agriculture.
00:00 - 2020 Discussion Meet Finalists
23:50 - To the Beat of Agriculture - Hannah Jarvis
32:20 - OFBF's Property Protection Program gets an upgrade
42:00 - Montgomery County Farm Bureau's Grow Where You Are Planted program
00:00 - Food trends are changing rapidly as more and more consumers are choosing to have their groceries and their favorite restaurant food delivered right to their door. What impact does this have on the overall food system and how is the food service industry adapting to meet consumer needs? The Ohio Restaurant Association joins Ty Higgins to answer that question.
23:50 - A small gesture went a long way for a Young Ag Professional after a visit with her Congressman, hear that story To The Beat of Agriculture.
32:20 - A veterinarian shares how she handles tough conversations with those outside of agriculture.
42:20 - And Warren Co. Farm Bureau recently helped local youth and those in need in their community.
The methods for farmers getting information that pertains to their industry and lifestyle have changed in many ways over the generations. What used to be appointment listening over an AM radio is now On Demand content available anytime, anywhere. This week on Our Ohio Weekly, Ty covers the many facets of Farm Broadcasting with the Ohio Ag Net’s Dale Minyo and Tom Brand, Executive Director of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting.
Our food, water and energy systems all have challenges, known as wicked problems, that need to be solved. Ohio State recently hosted Great Plains Institute CEO Rolf Nordstrom to share his ideas. Plus, find out what is being learned on Ohio’s demo farms about water quality efforts, how an Ohio Farm Bureau member made donating scholarship money a work of art and learn why a caravan of Ohio Farm Bureau members from Henry County loaded up and headed west.
Just about everything that could go wrong did when it came to crop production in 2019. How did a rough growing season and a tough trade year impact Ohio farmers? Ty Higgins visits with two farmer leaders to find out. OSU Economist Ben Brown talks about important Farm Bill program decisions that need to be made soon. Plus, Gov. Mike DeWine lays out his strategy for cleaner water, Legal with Leah deals with ag sales tax and Belmont County Farm Bureau fights hunger in their community one backpack at a time.
On the latest Our Ohio Weekly, Ty Higgins visits with Heartland Bank to find out what it's been like to be an ag banker in a down farm economy. He also sits down with an economist with Farmer Mac for an outlook for 2020. Meet the Ohio Farm Bureau "Excellence in Ag" winners, Kyle and Ashton Walls, get details about the upcoming Young Agricultural Professionals Winter Leadership Experience and the Lorain County Farm Bureau Brunch with a Farmer event.
Normally, you’re hearing about Nationwide from the likes of Peyton Manning or Brad Paisley. Today though, you’ll hear things right from the top. Kirt Walker is Nationwide’s brand new Chief Executive Officer. Which means he’s at the helm of one of the largest insurance and financial service companies in the world. Today, Mr. Walker and Farm Bureau’s Adam Sharp talk about the shared history of their two organizations, and how Nationwide intends to remain “on your side.”
If you drink water, use it for recreation, or are a farmer, environmentalist, reporter or politician, you’re paying attention to Ohio’s water quality problems and efforts to fix them. Much of the knowledge we have or need, both on understanding what’s happening and how to make it better, will come from a lot of smart folks at Ohio State University. Heather Raymond has recently taken on the job of maximizing the university’s efforts. She joins Farm Bureau’s Yvonne Lesicko, today, on Town Hall Ohio.
It has been a tough year on farmers. Horrible weather, market disrupting trade disputes and a sixth consecutive year of below-break-even prices were piled on the normal economic challenges that farmers faced. But, when you look at the farm economy as a whole, especially from a national perspective, things may not be as bad as the worrisome headlines might lead you to believe. Today, we talk farm economy, and other hot topics from the 2019 national agricultural bankers conference.
We all want clean air and clean water. At the same time, we want to make use of many of our planet’s resources. Which is where the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency comes in. To ensure a safe and healthy environment for all Ohioans. Laurie Stevenson is the director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. She’s in today with Farm Bureau’s Adam Sharp, and one of our first topics is the governor’s recently announced H2Ohio plan.
There’s a lot of excitement over industrial hemp. You’ll hear that it’s a miracle health aid and a superfood. The next raw material for everything from clothing to concrete. Now that it’s legal to grow hemp in Ohio, you’ll hear projections that for farmers, the crop is either going to make them rich, or bankrupt their farm. Today, we take a broad overview of Ohio’s burgeoning hemp industry as we’re joined by a farmer, regulator, educator and entrepreneur. This week, on Town Hall Ohio.
Do you know any homeowner or businessperson who would spend 40 dollars to save 25 cents? Hundreds or thousands of times? That’s the essence of society’s expectations for farmers when it comes to reducing farm nutrient loss in order to clean up Ohio’s waters. The interesting part is, farmers aren’t saying no, they’re learning how. The Blanchard River Farms Demonstration Network is finding environmental and economic solutions. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we do a deep dive into how farmers can protect water quality.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources was created by the Ohio legislature in 1949. Its mission today: to ensure a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. That balance can, at times, be challenging, when you’re considering ODNR’s vast portfolio of water resources, forests, state parks, energy development and much more. The person Governor DeWine asked to keep everyone happy is Mary Mertz, Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. She visits with Ohio Farm Bureau’s Adam Sharp on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
Regular listeners know Town Hall Ohio isn’t only about food and farming. We try to reflect a broad range of subjects that Farm Bureau members find interesting, and hope you do too. We’re lucky - we have about an hour each week to drill down on topics. But imagine trying to explore complex subjects inside a window of about 3 minutes. That’s the goal of Ohio Wesleyan University’s i-Cubed Lectures. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we’ll spend an hour on OWU’s three minute lecture series.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture is very familiar to most Ohio farmers, with its role in nearly every facet of Ohio's important food industry. Consumers should be familiar, too, because ODA is at the forefront of assuring food safety. Dorothy Pelanda is Ohio's 39th director of agriculture. She and Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Adam Sharp talk about water quality, food safety, farmer mental health and a variety of other current topics.
Mike DeWine is the 70th governor of the state of Ohio. With 11.5 million constituents, he’s the CEO of a state that’s as diverse as they come. From cornbelt flatlands to appalachian foothills, cities to rural crossroads, an electorate often described as purple, and a mix of economic and social opportunities and challenges. Today, he made time to visit with Ohio Farm Bureau’s Adam Sharp and all of you. Governor Mike DeWine, our very special guest, on Town Hall Ohio.
Ohio is a big food state. Lots of farmers, processors and manufacturers. And, lots and lots of hungry consumers. A sizable share of Ohio’s very diverse food chain is made up by what’s identified as local foods. What is local? How do folks all along the food chain benefit from it? What do the economics look like? Can it grow? Today, we talk with an Ohio State economist and a local foods advocate and entrepreneur to learn more, on Town Hall Ohio.
As far as resumes for public servants go, Rob Portman’s is pretty impressive. A member of the U.S. House, a cabinet level job as U.S. Trade Representative, another cabinet post as Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and in 2010, elected to serve as a United States Senator. Senator Rob Portman joins Farm Bureau’s Adam Sharp to talk about the economy, the environment and many other issues of the day on Town Hall Ohio.
One of our greatest privileges, and some would say responsibilities, is to vote. From local to national candidates or measures of local or state interest, a system that’s accessible, convenient, fair and secure helps us all exercise that basic right. The gentlemen who oversees Ohio’s elections is Secretary of State Frank LaRose. He joins Farm Bureau’s Adam Sharp to talk about elections and other responsibilities of his office, as well as one of his big causes, civility in politics, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
In 1902, Ohio State University formed the Department of Animal Husbandry, which later evolved into Animal Sciences. Farmers know the value the department provides to Ohio’s Livestock Industry, helping them efficiently produce animal protein. In reality, all of us are impacted by Animal Sciences, whether our interests are food safety, environmental quality or human health. The chairman of Ohio State’s Department of Animal Sciences, Dr. John Foltz, joins Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President, Adam Sharp to talk all things animals, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
In past episodes of Town Hall Ohio, we’ve talked about some of the inequalities that certain people experience. It might be in health care, workforce training, sources of quality food. Today, we focus on another unfortunate reality. Not everyone has equal access to justice. It’s a problem everywhere, but is some cases more so rural Ohio. Ohio Supreme Court Justice Judith French, Angela Lloyd of the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation and Farm Bureau’s Adam Sharp are in to discuss “access to justice”, on Town Hall Ohio.
Ohioans spend a lot of money on health care. At the same time, the data says we’re not getting our money’s worth. What negative factors are affecting our health? How can the system be made more efficient, and effective? Amy Rohling McGee is the president of the Health Policy Institute of Ohio, and she’s in to help us see why Ohio ranks 46th among 50 states on health value, and what do we do about it. Better health at lower cost on Town Hall Ohio.
Since its inception as a feed mill in 1963, Kalmbach Feeds has grown into a multimillion dollar business serving customers across the Midwest. Kalmbach Feeds’ trucks are a familiar sight as they traverse up and down the highways in rural Ohio, delivering bulk feed to livestock farms in the region. Kalmbach Feeds pet and livestock food is also sold at retail outlets throughout the state. Learn about the history, the current growth and future plans of one of Ohio’s most successful agribusinesses on Town Hall Ohio.
Nearly a quarter-million Ohioans are covered by workers’ comp. The Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation is the largest state-run insurance program in the nation. Ohio workers, families, businesses and communities are all affected by how well and how efficiently the agency does its job. Today, the administrator of BWC, Stephanie McCloud, joins Ohio Farm Bureau’s Dan Rapp to give us a look into the issues around work place health and safety on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
No one remembers it ever being like this. Too much rain, falling far too often, has created an unprecedented situation for farmers in Ohio and across much of the nation. There have been years when some of the crop didn’t get planted, but this year, many farmers will plant nothing and those that did get planted may not produce much at harvest. The social media hashtag has become #NoPlant19 and we examine its consequences, today, on Town Hall Ohio.
Lawmakers are quickly coming up on their deadline for passing a new two year state budget. Virtually every Ohioan will be affected by the budget’s contents. Taxes, the environment, education and social issues are rolled up in the two year spending plan. Three folks who keep tabs on the budget and other state business are our guests - reporters who are members of the Ohio Legislative Correspondents Association are here to dissect the budget and update other events in the state capital.
The numbers are frightening. Every day, 115 Americans die from an overdose of opioids. In 2017, 5,000 of our fellow Ohioans died from the drug. In addition to the fatalities, thousands of others go to hospitals and treatment facilities. Today, we learn about the overall challenges, and in particular, about the prevention campaign called “Don’t live in Denial, Ohio,” which helps parents help their kids stay away from this deadly addiction. Fighting opioids on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
How many connections to the online world do you have? Phone, tablet, computer, smart TV, virtual assistant and on and on. All of these are very fun and very helpful… and potentially very dangerous. Hackers pose a risk to individuals, businesses and governments. While we know this, some of us still use the word “password” as our password. What are the risks, from whom, and most importantly, how do we protect ourselves? Cybersecurity expert, Mike Moran has lots of insights and ideas, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
Animals are a part of most everyone’s daily life. We connect with some as companions, others for entertainment and still others for sustenance. Today, we’re going to explore those connections through the eyes of two folks who are part of the community we rely on to provide care to our animals. Dr. Carol McConnell of Nationwide and Dr. Rustin Moore of Ohio State University are members of the veterinary profession, and join us to talk about a wide range of animal issues, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
As growth industries go, there’s nothing hotter in Ohio than craft brewing. Back in 2012, there were 47 Ohio craft brewers. Today, there are 299 with around 60 more in the planning stage. Not to miss out on the fun, late last year, Ohio Farm Bureau and North High Brewing introduced a craft beer to help celebrate Farm Bureau’s 100th Anniversary. A brewer, a blogger and Farm Bureau’s defacto beer guy talk craft brewing, and its close ties to Ohio agriculture, today on Town Hall Ohio.
Senator Sherrod Brown’s official biography lists a number of issues that he’s passionate about - social justice, economic justice, fair trade, veterans, American manufacturing, and American farmers. Today, Ohio’s senior senator serving since 2006, returns to Town Hall Ohio to talk to Ohio Farm Bureau's Executive Vice President Adam Sharp about these issues and others including Lake Erie, the Farm Bill and considering running for the President of the United States.
Every time OSU President Michael Drake or Provost Bruce McPheron are on the show, we squeeze in a little about Buckeye Football and athletics in general. Today, there’s no squeezing. Gene Smith is the director of athletics at the Ohio State University. Today, Farm Bureau’s Adam Sharp and I visit with Mr. Smith, not just about OSU sports, but on what it takes to develop and manage successful enterprises and successful people.
Let me throw out a few familiar business names: J.M. Smucker, Nationwide, AEP, Marathon Petroleum, Procter and Gamble, BF Goodrich. All Ohio companies whose executives have helped lead the Ohio Business Roundtable. Its purpose: to improve the business climate for Ohio. About a year and a half ago, the roundtable brought on another familiar name. 17-year Congressman Pat Tiberi was named President and CEO. Today, on Town Hall Ohio, Mr. Tiberi and Farm Bureau’s Adam Sharp solve all the economic challenges facing our state.
I’m always looking for new voices to join us on the show. In recent years, I’ve been reading a column that appears in the Columbus Dispatch by a gentleman named Jim Simon. Jim writes about big picture issues and the hot topics of the day. By my reading, his thoughts on what we need to pay attention to, and how we need to act, are worth thinking about. So, today, we’ll hear from communicator, marketer and political commentator Jim Simon, on Town Hall Ohio.
Robert Sprague keeps an eye on your piece of Ohio’s twenty billion dollars in investments and 10 billion dollars in debt. About three months ago, he became the 49th Treasurer of the State of Ohio. He’s served in both city government and the statehouse is a native of next door to God's country, and has a picture of his last appearance on Town Hall Ohio on his Facebook page. Findlay native, Treasurer Robert Sprague, is our guest this week on Town Hall Ohio.
A banner on the state attorney general’s website reads: “protecting the unprotected”. Dave Yost is Ohio’s Chief Law Officer and the department he runs touches the lives of families, communities, and governments across the state. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, the 51st attorney general of the state of Ohio, Mr. Yost joins Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Adam Sharp to talk about rooting out fraud, holding the corrupt accountable and reforming government.
With an economic boom worth $1.4 Billion, horses are a big money maker for Ohio. On the latest Town Hall Ohio meet some of the organizations that have a hand in Ohio’s equine industry as Ty Higgins visits with Renee Mancino from the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association, Dave Basler from the Ohio Horsemen's Benevolent and Protection Association and Karin Brennan from the upcoming Equine Affaire.
How do you know if your tax dollars are being well spent? Or if some unscrupulous elected official might have his hand in the cookie jar? Keeping tabs on those kinds of things, and many others, is the job of the Ohio Auditor of State. Just a few months ago, Keith Faber became our state’s 33rd auditor. Today we learn more about the office, and visit about some important issues in state government in general.
For 73 years, Ohio Farm Bureau volunteer leaders have traveled to the nation’s capital to speak out on behalf of their fellow farmers. The 2019 version of the county president’s trip to Washington D.C. took more than 100 farmers, Farm Bureau staff and members of the media into the capital. They met with both senators, and most members of Ohio’s congressional delegation. Today we let you in on what was learned. Ohio Farm Bureau in the capital, today, on Town Hall Ohio.
On the latest Town Hall Ohio, meet some of the members of Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Ag Professionals. Ty Higgins will introduce you to the best and brightest that Ohio agriculture has to offer.
If you ever wanted to see grassroots political action in action, you’d have been impressed by this past week’s Ohio Farm Bureau Ag Day at the Capital. Farmers from all corners of the state battled level two snow emergencies to come to Columbus to meet and inform their state lawmakers and to hear from the new governor of the state of Ohio. Governor Mike DeWine joins us as we look back at Ag Day at the Capital, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
There is hardly a day that goes by that nearly every one of us is not touched, in some way, by The Ohio State University. Our jobs. Our families. Our food, and our communities. To some extent, Ohio State is an integral part of Ohio’s economy, environment and society. Since the middle of 2014, the caretaker of Ohio State’s mission has been Dr. Michael Drake. He’s back for his fourth visit with all of our listeners, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
Sadly, we’re in a time where far too many folks seem to be on their worst behavior when discussing important topics. Ranting and yelling and their online equivalents, seems to have become the ways to share an opinion. In Ohio Farm Bureau, we believe there’s a better way to solve problems. Thoughtful, courteous discussion. Farm bureau’s annual Discussion Meet competition is intended to develop young people’s skills in working that way. This year’s Discussion Meet finalists are our guests, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
At the Mid-American Restaurant Expo, held in Columbus two weeks ago, you would expect to see vendors selling pizza ovens, deep fryers and ice cream machines. For the first time this year, the exhibit space made room for farmers from Ohio looking for more places to market their home grown goods. Find out more about this developing relationship between food producers and the restaurant industry on this week’s edition of Town Hall Ohio.
For the first time in eight years, Ohio has a new governor. We have a new republican house speaker, who largely can thank democrats for landing the job. We’ll soon begin the debate over Ohio’s next two year budget and the usual wrangling over dozens of policy issues. Today we look ahead to the year ahead in state government with three folks who pay attention to those things for a living. Our statehouse reporter roundtable, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
What’s in store for 2019 as far as economic issues? Your family budget, the economies of Ohio, nation and the world? Conditions facing governments and industries? Today we engage in our annual early year visit with Dr. David Berson, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist for Nationwide. We’ll talk about jobs, interest rates, securities, commodities and a host of other financial and policy topics. It’s all things economy, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
Today we continue the tradition of Town Hall Ohio's Greatest Hits. As we close out the year for 2018, we're going to go back an visit some of the highlights of this year's broadcasts: the election, farm and food issues, short and long term economic concerns and opportunities especially in rural areas. You're going to hear some pretty smart and interesting people who were in our studio over this past year. The 2018 Review, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
It’s estimated that somewhere around the year 336, Christmas became an official holiday. Then, in 1621 it was the very first Thanksgiving. So one could argue between those two events, the official holiday season was essentially born. It’s interesting to consider how that celebration has evolved over the years. Certainly it can’t resemble now much of what it looked like back then. But how do we keep alive that holiday spirit? Today we talk Christmas and all things holiday on Town Hall Ohio.
At the close of World War 1, Ohio farmers organized to preserve their livelihoods and lifestyles. In 1919, they gave birth to the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. And since its origin, Farm Bureau has gone on to significantly shape the culture and economy of the Buckeye state. Today, we celebrate the centennial of the state’s largest and most influential farm and food organization. We’ll hear from and about it’s leaders, it’s accomplishments and its plans for the future.
We live in a complicated world. We do what we can for ourselves, but so much of what affects our families, jobs and communities is seemingly outside of our control, or more to the point, under the control of politicians and bureaucrats. Today’s guest is uniquely qualified to talk about governance, the economy, national security and host of other big picture issues that we all should be better informed about. Matt Mayer of Opportunity Ohio, joins us, on Town Hall Ohio.
Hard numbers are hard to find, but one source indicates more than 80 million Americans participate in sports. Many of them are our kids and grandkids starting with little league and continuing through high school. With so many youngsters involved in dozens of different sports, it seems worth spending a little time thinking about how their participation is, or should be, impacting their minds and bodies and their future lives. I’m loosely calling today’s show “a parent’s guide to sports”, on Town Hall Ohio.
In a state known for big cities and big stretches of flat, productive farmland, a part of our state we don’t often give a lot of attention to is Appalachian Ohio. That eastern and southern area of Ohio accounts for 40% of the state’s land mass, but only 17% of our population. It’s also an area that’s tough to economically thrive in. Today, we are joined by a couple of folks who want to help fix that. Revitalizing Appalachian Ohio, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
In 1870, the Ohio General Assembly chartered the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College. The doors opened three years later, and five years after that, the college changed its name to The Ohio State University. While OSU now goes far beyond strictly an ag and mechanical focus, Ohio State remains a land grant institution, with community betterment a key purpose. OSU’s engineering and agricultural engineering programs remain crucial to that mission. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we talk about the role engineers play in our lives.
For the past 10 years or so, the new player on the scene is the podcast. Online, on demand and as specialized as you could want. Alex Hastie is an attorney and the managing partner of Hastie Legal. He’s active in numerous community organizations and projects. And he’s a historian. Alex is on the Board of Trustees with the Ohio History Connection (formerly the Ohio Historical Society). His popular Ohio history podcast is “Ohio v. the World.” Today, we talk podcasting, on the radio, on Town Hall Ohio.
Election Day is just over a week away. One of your biggest choices, if you’ve not already cast your ballot, is to decide who will serve the next four years as governor of Ohio. Today, you get to hear from democratic candidate Richard Cordray. Mr. Cordray’s visit follows up last week’s show with republican candidate Mike DeWine. What are Ohio’s biggest issues and how will they be handled? Hear what Richard Cordray has to say, on Town Hall Ohio.
Democrat Richard Cordray and Republican Mike DeWine want to be the next governor of the state of Ohio. Over the next two weeks, both candidates will talk with us about the challenges facing Ohio, their solutions and their vision for the state. We’re concluding our series of shows with the candidates for all statewide offices by spending an hour each with the two major party gubernatorial candidates. This week, Republican Mike DeWine is our guest, on Town Hall Ohio.
Election day is just a little over 3 weeks away. Do you know who you’ll vote for to serve as Ohio’s top law enforcement official? Democrat Steve Dettelbach and Republican Dave Yost both want to be your next attorney general. What do they believe are the top issues affecting Ohioans? How will they carry out their jobs? We’ll get into those topics and more as we continue our series of shows introducing you to Ohio’s statewide candidates. The race for Attorney General on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
As a taxpayer, you want someone to take good care of the money you provide to the state of Ohio. Today’s guests want that job. Democrat Rob Richardson and Republican Robert Sprague are the candidates for State Treasurer, who collects, invests and protects your tax dollars. You’ll hear them talk about issues important to Ohioans, and make their case for your vote. Our pre-election visits with the statewide candidates continue, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
National political pundits are saying that control of the U.S. Senate is up for grabs. Among the key states being watched closely ahead of the November election is Ohio. Incumbent democrat, Senator Sherrod Brown is facing off against republican challenger, Congressman Jim Renacci. Both Mr. Brown and Mr. Renacci sat down in the Town Hall Ohio studio to spend some time talking about key issues that probably will be on your minds when you vote. Ohio’s senate candidates, today, on Town Hall Ohio.
Ohio Representative Kathleen Clyde and Ohio senator frank LaRose are both seeking a new job. The same job. They want to be Ohio’s next Secretary of State. Today, we continue our series of pre-election shows in which you’ll hear first-hand from the statewide candidates. Today, we focus on the democrat and republican who wants to serve as Ohio’s Chief Elections Officer and leads the state’s programs that authorize businesses in Ohio. Kathleen Clyde and Frank LaRose, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
While the vast majority of Americans live in urbanized areas, the vast majority of the United States is classified as rural. 72% of our nation’s landmass is rural, and 46 million people live there. Serving that community is the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and in particular, USDA’s rural development agency. Its head, Anne Hazlett, and its Ohio leader, Dave Hall, join Farm Bureau’s Yvonne Lesicko to talk about rural challenges and opportunities, on this episode of Town Hall
If you grew up or live in many parts of northeast Ohio (same with much of northwest and central Ohio) and you’ve ever driven the back roads, you’re probably familiar with the sight of a slow moving buggy being drawn by a horse. Ohio is home to more than 74,000 Amish, about a quarter of the nation’s total Amish population. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we’ll take a look inside Ohio’s Amish community.
In a few short months, Ohioans will head to the polls to elect a new Governor, Auditor, Treasurer, Secretary of State and Attorney General. We’ll also elect a U.S. Senator, Supreme Court Justices and numerous state lawmakers. Between now and election day, Town Hall Ohio plans to host the candidates for statewide office. Today, our guests are seeking your vote to be State Auditor: Republican Keith Faber and Democrat Zack Space.
For the past fifty years, many of Ohio’s best paying jobs have disappeared. Communities have suffered and state government appears to have been powerless to turn things around. Last week we talked about what happened and why, and today we’ll get into a bit more of that plus look at some potential solutions. We’ll also frame out some key questions that you should be asking Rich Cordray and Mike DeWine, who both want to be your next governor.
Between 1969 and 2016, Ohio lost 700,000 of its 1.4 million manufacturing jobs. The state has experienced zero job growth since 2001. More and more of the jobs we do have are not high paying positions. Our last seven governors have seen the challenge, and have not solved the problems. Today’s guests have issued an extensive analysis of what’s happened to the Ohio economy, and some key questions for whoever is our next governor. Today, they share it in detail, on Town Hall Ohio.
Tourism is big business for the Buckeye State. Last year, 219 million folks visited Ohio. Most came from within 300 to 500 miles and they spent a lot of money here. Getting them here is the job of Tourism Ohio, part of the state’s development services agency. Tourism Ohio’s director Matt MacLaren joins us to talk about the business of tourism, what’s being done to boost it, and to tell us about some of the fun things we can do and see, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
The Ohio State Fair is right around the corner. Starting Wednesday, Ohioans from all corners of the state will make the trek to Columbus to experience the sights, sounds and smells of the annual big event. This is the 165th edition of the state fair, and today we look ahead to all the fun with Fair Manager, Virgil Strickler and Fair Communications Director, Alica Shoultz. We’ll talk about the livestock, the concerts, the exhibits, and of course, the food. The great Ohio State Fair, today, on Town Hall Ohio.
Consider every product you use, every day--food, technology, vehicles, personal care. And beyond products, every social engagement, every political activity. Somewhere, at some time, a researcher was involved. Either in a pristine lab or maybe in a backyard garage, the knowledge that is the basis of most everything we have or do was developed by someone doing research. Guests Dr. Caroline Whitacre, retired senior vice president research, Ohio State and Jon Cartledge, business development, Battelle explain what makes research happen and why it matters.
From the grill hash slinger to the executive chef, someone has to put the food on your plate when you’re eating out. Becoming the next Bobby Flay, Rachael Ray or Cameron Mitchell is no small feat but Columbus State Community College can be of some help. Their growing culinary arts and hospitality program aims to train folks for careers but also to be a contributor to Ohio’s economy and communities. Columbus State’s President David Harrison joins Farm Bureau’s Adam Sharp today, on Town Hall Ohio.
The vision of farming is often romanticized. Days outdoors instead of at a corporate desk. Staining your hands with soil instead of printer ink. Well, for a growing number of people, it’s not a romantic notion. It’s reality. And it’s not always idyllic. New and small farmers are dotting the landscape across Ohio, Today’s guests are part of an Ohio State program to give these burgeoning farmers a boost. New and small farming in the buckeye state, today, on Town Hall Ohio.
Every day, mankind uses about 28 billion kilowatt hours of energy. For perspective, for the average American family to use that much, it would take roughly 2.5 million years. Add to that a growing world population and growing world economy, and you can see the challenges before us. Today on Town Hall Ohio, we’ll hear some industry experts’ thoughts on what it’s going to take to have the policies and practices in place to serve our state and nation’s energy needs.
One of Ohio’s greatest resources is Lake Erie. It’s the source of drinking water for millions of Ohioans. It’s an economic engine for much of the state. It’s also one of Ohio’s top recreational opportunities. It also faces some problems - one of the biggest challenges is annual toxic algal blooms. That’s a problem not just for the lake, but for Ohio’s agricultural industry. Today, two prominent Lake Erie experts join us to talk about the lake, it’s challenges and some fixes, on Town Hall Ohio.
Chances are, you’re one of 68 million customers who visit a McDonald’s, every day. The company did 22.8 billion dollars in revenue last year. Today, we look beyond the golden arches to learn more about one of the biggest restaurant chains in the world. Their spokesman, and a store owner, are our guests today, on Town Hall Ohio.
Just saying the names brings sorrow, anger, and confusion. Columbine. Sandy Hook. Parkland High School. These are just three of the more infamous episodes where someone walked into an American school and started killing kids and teacher. What is going on? Why is this happening? What can be done to prevent the violence, or at least mitigate the damage? There is no single, or simple solution. But today, we’ll ask and answer what we can. The scourge of school shootings, today, on Town Hall Ohio.
The variety and selection of food today is phenomenal. We talk with farmers fairly often on this show. But what happens with that food once it leaves the farm? What about processing, packaging, marketing? Today, we spend time learning about the link in the food chain that largely begins after the crop is harvested or the animal is goes to market. What are the innovations that will make food tastier, safer, more convenient, on Town Hall Ohio.
You and I spent just under 21 billion dollars last year eating out. That’s the estimated sales figure for Ohio’s more than 22,000 eating and drinking establishments. We enjoyed meals at little diners at country crossroads and at Wendy’s, Bob Evans’ and other major chains and we supported more than half-a-million people in who Ohio work in the industry. Today, John Barker of the Ohio Restaurant Association, joins Ohio Farm Bureau’s Adam Sharp to talk all things restaurants, this week, on Town Hall Ohio.
Not everyone wants to graduate college with a PHD and that’s a good thing! Along with doctorates, doctors and lawyers, we need masons, mechanics, carpenters, electricians and thousands of other skilled professionals. Encouraging and preparing people to enter those necessary careers is our topic today. Our guests are Christine Gardner, Executive Director of the Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education, and Tim Harman, Director of Customized Workforce Recruitment and Training for Columbus 2020, an economic development organization in central Ohio.
Every year, millions of Americans travel to the nation's capital. Some are there to see the sights. Others are there to work. March 13-15, 2018 a group of around 100 Ohio Farm Bureau members were in Washington, D.C. and got a lot of work done. The big job was lobbying their lawmakers, but they also heard from the administrator of the US EPA, the Speaker of the House, both Ohio senators and more. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, you will hear what they heard.
Americans would be well served to not forget the Dustbowl years of the 1930s. While that period is remembered for its disastrous impacts on nature and families, its legacy is a commitment to ensuring such calamity will never happen again. In Ohio and around the nation, soil and water conservation districts and their farmer cooperators are the boots on the ground in protecting natural resources. We’re proud to help tell their story on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
Do any of these slogans sound familiar? Quality is our recipe. Fresh, never frozen. Where’s the beef? Of course, we’re talking about Wendy’s. Ohioan Dave Thomas’s vision, launched back in 1969, has grown to be the second largest purveyor of burgers and the 4th largest restaurant chain in America. So, their actions have great influence over how we eat - and how we grow what we eat. Today, Wendy’s Chief Communications Officer, Liliana Esposito, joins us for a live taping of Town Hall Ohio.
15 percent of Americans are 65 or older and in the next 12 years that will jump to 21 percent. That has implications for the elderly, their families and society. To help us walk through the challenges and solutions to aging issues, our guests today are Beverley L. Laubert, who was appointed interim director of the Ohio Department of Aging in December 2017. Director Laubert has been an ombudsman for nearly thirty years, including twenty-three as the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman in Ohio. Our second guests is Dr. Jim Bates is an assistant professor and Extension Field Specialist of Family Wellness in the Family and Consumer Sciences program in Ohio State University Extension in the College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences. He also holds an appointment in OSU’s College of Education and Human Ecology.
The economy performed pretty well last year, and most forecasts say 2018 should be a decent year, too. But we’ve already seen a brutal return of stock market volatility, growing fears of what interest rates and inflation will do and concerns over a variety of political issues at home and abroad. Today, Nationwide Sr. Vice President and Chief Economist David Berson is in to help us sort through what might be awaiting us around the corner. The economy, today, on Town Hall Ohio.
Sadly, we’re in a time where far too many folks seem to be on their worst behavior when discussing important topics. Ranting and yelling and their online equivalents seems to have become the ways to share an opinion. In Ohio Farm Bureau, we believe there’s a better way to solve problems. Thoughtful, courteous discussion. Farm Bureau’s annual Discussion Meet competition is intended to develop young people’s skills in working that way. This year’s Discussion Meet Finalists are our guests, today, on Town Hall Ohio. Congrats to our 2018 winner Annie Specht from Tuscarawas County!
Agriculture is big in Ohio, and features a diversity of people and production practices for hundreds of different kinds of crops and livestock. Today we’re talking about a part of farming that is expanding rapidly – Organic agriculture. Here in the Buckeye state, organic farm numbers and economic output continue to grow. What’s the organic story in Ohio? How does it fit into the overall farm industry? And can organic and conventional agriculture coexist? We cover those questions and more, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
Ohio businesses and farms sell a lot of product to foreign countries. Some fifty-five percent of our state’s exports go to Canada and Mexico, who happen to be our partners in the North American Free Trade Agreement, best known as NAFTA. With that as a backdrop, you can understand why Ohio’s business and farm communities are more than a bit concerned when President Trump says he may want to back away from the trade deal. Why NAFTA is important, to all Ohioans, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
By this time next year, the Ohio political landscape will look a lot different, or at least will include a lot of new faces, or new faces in new places. Nine Ohioans have their hat in the ring to be our next governor. There are several potential ballot measures in the works, and the general assembly has plenty of business to attend to. We look ahead to policy and politics in 2018 with three members of the Ohio Statehouse Media Corp, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
Pulitzer winners, educators, scientists, farmers and political leaders all were in the Town Hall Ohio studio in 2017. This week we hit a few highlights from the past year's broadcasts.
Farm Bureau members had some great accomplishments in the past year. Members of the the organization's public policy team look back at the wins, plus, Extension Educator Jenny Lobb shares some great tips on saving money at the grocery store.
Most days you can’t pick up a newspaper or turn on the radio or TV without reading or hearing about the opioid crisis. Ohio leads the nation in opioid related overdose deaths. The opioid crisis is found in adults and young people and teenagers. What’s being done to prevent the epidemic from becoming even worse? Hope for Ohio, an opioid forum today, on Town Hall Ohio.
Those of us of a certain age can remember hearing Walter Cronkite close the CBS evening news with his famous sign-off – “and that’s the way it is” and, we believed him. We have a president prone to proclaiming news stories as fake. His charges aside, there’s plenty of evidence that some, maybe a lot of what we consider news, isn’t. Fake news. Real news. How do we know the difference? And the ramifications of even having to ask this question, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
There is no shortage of people who want to tell us how to eat, or to tell farmers how to farm. The food movement is growing in size, and in influence, and is already having an impact on public policy. What are the consequences of disagreements between members of the food movement and the traditional farm community, and can they find common ground? Well known food and ag economist Dr. Jayson Lusk helps us sort through it all, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
Since the early 80’s, Jo Ann Davidson has been a fixture in state and national politics. In a recent story in the Columbus Dispatch, Joe Hallet referred to her as a sentry for tradition and a protector of honor, decorum, conciliation, hard work and progress. He also referenced another moniker – “the velvet hammer.” Today we get to hear from one of Ohio’s most influential political leaders, as Ms. Davidson and Farm Bureau Exec Adam Sharp have a friendly chat, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
This probably won’t “shock” you, but Ohio is big in electricity. We produce a lot, and consume a lot. It’s also in our best interests to do both efficiently. Today’s guests can help us out. Eric Romich is with Ohio State University and Jim Miller is with AEP as well as Farm Bureau’s Dale Arnold are in today to talk about what’s going on in electric generation and usage and how we all might be able to save some money.
This Tuesday, Ohioans will have the chance to vote on State Issue 2, the Ohio Drug Price Relief Act. On this week's Town Hall Ohio, we hear the arguments of proponents and opponents.
Matt Borges is the former chairman of the Ohio Republican Party. He now represents the Ohio Taxpayers for Lower Drug Prices campaign, which is the vote yes side. Dale Butland was press secretary and Ohio chief of staff for Sen. John Glenn and is now representing the Ohioans Against the Deceptive Rx Ballot Issue, which is the vote no side.
The Farm and Food sector is a huge part of the Ohio economy. And at Central State University, they’re interested in preparing Ohioans to be part of that industry.
Central state is an 1890 land grant institution, and as such, is charged with teaching, research and outreach activities while providing students with a quality, affordable education.
How they’re carrying out the mission is our topic today with Dr. Alton Johnson, Mr. Chris Widener and Farm Bureau’s Yvonne Lesicko, on Town Hall Ohio.
How do we have a food secure world? How do we do it without a harmful environmental impact? What are the relationships between the environment, animals and people? And what are the implications of 11.5 million Ohioans smack in the middle of 15 million acres of farmland? Cathann Kress would like to find some answers to these questions, and as Ohio State’s new ag college dean, she’s in position to move the effort ahead. Dr. Kress joins Farm Bureau’s Adam Sharp, today, on Town Hall Ohio.
How’s the economy doing? Depends who you ask. A small business owner looking for labor to expand might have one answer. A retiree living off her 401k returns might have another. You would also get other views by asking farmers, politicians, salesmen or heads of households. Today, we get some broad thoughts on the state of the economy, plus hear some thoughts on long term economic trends. Economists Bill Lafayette and Matt Roberts are in to sort it all out, today, on Town Hall Ohio.
After a summer where the budget took up much of the state legislature’s time, lawmakers are turning their attention to other issues. Meanwhile, Democrats and Republicans are starting to shake out their candidates for next year’s statewide races. Keeping an eye on all of the above are Julie Carr Smyth of the Associated Press and Jim Siegel of the Columbus Dispatch. They’re in to help us all get a handle on what’s hot at the capitol, this week, on Town Hall Ohio.
It’s hard to not be constantly reminded that the world is a risky place. But as Americans, how much attention do we really pay to foreign affairs and to what extent do we support military action abroad. A leading political scientist who studies our views on global conflict is our guest today and, his analysis of the current Korean situation is something we all need to hear. OSU’s Dr. John Mueller is our guest, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
Call it climate change, global warming or any other term and you’re likely to stir up some emotions. Regardless of your opinions, there is one fact that is hard to argue with - our weather and weather patterns are changing. Today, we talk with two members of the state climate office of Ohio about the science of measuring and predicting climatic occurrences, and what we can do with the facts that science delivers. The science of climatology and adapting to change, is our subject today, on Town Hall Ohio.
While the Midwest is often called the world’s breadbasket, Ukraine is often called the breadbasket of Europe. But as a relatively newly independent nation, there’s a desire to learn more about the important task of producing food. To that end, a group of economists from Ukraine are in the U.S. to do some learning. They recently spent the better part of a day here at the Ohio Farm Bureau, and several graciously agreed to sit with us for a taping of Town Hall Ohio.
If you work for a company or organization, you want to believe you have a pretty good idea of what the company or organization does. While you have a firm understanding of your area, there may be other areas that aren’t familiar at all. Ohio Farm Bureau employees had an opportunity to learn more about food at an employee event. Today we will talk food safety, food insecurity, and food trends.
The horticulture industry is big business, nationally and in Ohio. The organizations that represents the many facets of the industry from growers to retailers, suppliers to innovators, students to researchers, calls Columbus home. Today we’re going to learn more about AmericanHort when we talk with the President and CEO Ken Fisher. Going green, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
You’d be hard pressed to find a community, industry or social cause in Ohio that does not have some sort of connection to the Ohio State University. One of the gentlemen charged with helping the university meet its mission to serve Ohio is Dr. Bruce McPheron, Executive Vice President and Provost. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, he’s in to chat with Ohio Farm Bureau’s Chief Exec, Adam Sharp, about a wide range of issues that impact us all.
What do the following cities have in common? Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton, Newark, Cincinnati, Sandusky, Zanesville, Toledo, Springfield and Mansfield. Those are the ten towns that at one time or another since 1850 have played host to the great Ohio State Fair. To help us look ahead to this year, Fair General Manager Virgil Strickler, and Marketing and PR director Alicia Shoults join us to talk about the exhibits, the entertainment, rides, education and family fun for this year’s state fair.
The United States is the second largest consumer of seafood, yet we import 85% of the seafood we consume. So what are the opportunities? What are the challenges? To help us answer those questions, and more we have representatives of the Soy Aquaculture Alliance on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
Over the years, I’ve had the chance to ask folks if they knew which state is our nation’s biggest farming state. Common guesses I got were Iowa or Texas. Most folks are surprised to learn that the nation’s biggest farming state is better known for Hollywood or the Golden Gate Bridge. Yes, California. Today, the presidents of California and Ohio’s state Farm Bureaus are in to compare and contrast food production on the west coast and in the midwest, on Town Hall Ohio.
Summer time is dairy time! We’re just coming out of national dairy month and just starting national ice cream month. Here in Ohio, dairy is big: billions of dollars of economic activity that is driven by dairy farmers, milk processors, and dairy food manufacturers. Today, we’re going to talk all things dairy, including learning what it takes to run a modern dairy farm, and have lots of information for those of you who enjoy milk, cheese and ice cream. It’s dairy day, on Town Hall Ohio.
Our world’s capacity to feed itself is dependent on science and technology, which is true whether we’re talking billions of calories for a growing population or organic produce from our own back yards. But the simple act of talking about food and science can be challenging for scientists, communicators and consumers. Ohio State University addressed those challenges in a recent forum, and three of the meeting’s principals made time to share their thoughts with you, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
Regular listeners know that we often dig into the politics, economics and social issues centered along Ohio’s back roads. I mean, we’re Farm Bureau, so it’s no surprise that we talk a lot about rural issues. Today though, we get into some of those same topics with representatives of Ohio’s biggest cities. Mayors Lydia Mihalik, Findlay and Nan Whaley, Dayton are members of a new coalition of Ohio’s 30 biggest cities. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we hear about and from the Ohio Mayors Alliance.
Whether we’re posting pet photos on Facebook, streaming a new movie, shopping, banking or working, most of us enjoy the benefits of high speed internet. A new study from Ohio State says more than a million Ohioans don’t have adequate internet access, at a cost to the economy of billions of dollars. What are the consequences of life in the online slow lane, and how do we correct that shortcoming for our state? We’ll talk broadly about broadband, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
To say the first few months of the Trump presidency have been “unique” would be considered by most to be an understatement. The politics, policies and personality of the nation’s 45th president have given his supporters and detractors a mountain of material to debate and discuss. Two Washington journalists who write for Ohio audiences join us by phone to share their insights and dissect Donald Trump’s still new presidency, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
One of Columbus’ great attractions is its Center of Science and Industry, which most of us know as COSI. COSI, is rated as one of the nation’s top science museums. The first of this year, it welcomed a new leader. Dr. Frederic Bertley is a nationally known scientist, educator, and maybe most importantly, communicator. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, he joins Farm Bureau’s executive vice president Adam Sharp to talk about science and helping more of us understand and be comfortable with it.
In Ohio, the Republican Party holds most of the cards, dominating statewide elected offices, the general assembly and the Ohio Supreme Court. Keeping the party ticking along is the job of Jane Timken, who took over as state party chair this past January. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, she and Ohio Farm Bureau executive vice president Adam Sharp will chat about politics and policy, and hopefully motivate us toward political participation.
There’s a lot of things good about being an Ohioan. But, a new report from the Health Policy Institute from Ohio suggests things aren’t as good as they could be when it comes to health value. Ohio ranks 46th in the nation, meaning we spend more but are less healthy than all but 3 other states. Amy Rohling McGee of the Health Policy Institute and Dan Rapp of Ohio Farm Bureau are in today to talk about what needs improved and how we get there, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
The food production, manufacturing, retailing and consumption space is undergoing monumental change. Noted food expert and futurist Dr. David Hughes joins Town Hall Ohio to help us wrap our arms around what we put on our forks.
There are more than 380,000 Ohio homes and businesses throughout Ohio which get their electricity from one of 25 rural electric cooperatives. The organization representing those co-ops is engaged in a wide range of energy and community development activities. Its president and CEO, Patrick O’Loughlin is with us on this episode of Town Hall Ohio, and joins Farm Bureau’s energy specialist Dale Arnold to talk about electricity generation and delivery, new technologies and keeping rural America strong.
Have you been in a convenience store lately, or a McDonalds, or bought some fresh donuts, a piece of jewelry or a set of tires?
These diverse businesses have at least one thing in common--they are affiliated with the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants.
The group's president and CEO Gordon Gough joins Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Adam Sharp to talk about the economy, government and other trends and issues in the retail sector that impact owners, workers and consumers.
House Speaker Paul Ryan, and Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman talk health care, immigration and other issues with Ohio's county Farm Bureau presidents during their recent visit to Washington, D.C.
Ohio is blessed with a great highway system. Building it, and keeping it maintained, requires pouring concrete and laying asphalt. But we’re not too far away from when improving those roads will include laying digital cable and placing electronic sensors. The Ohio Department of Transportation is embarking on what they call a smart mobility initiative - gearing up for driverless cars and all the other Jetson’s gizmos coming to our cars and trucks. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we talk about the next generation of highway infrastructure.
Today, many Americans shop for a good deal, but not necessarily for themselves. They want a good deal for workers, the environment and other factors. There are lots of names, but for today we’ll call them socially conscious consumers. Who are they and what implications might there be for farmers, businesses and the rest of the consuming public? We’ll discuss all of these on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
One of America’s greatest assets is its ability to produce abundant, affordable, safe food. One of our greatest shortcomings is that we waste about 40 percent of the food we produce. That’s 34 million tons of food, every year. Waste affects families, communities, industries, and of course, 49 million hungry Americans. Why do we waste so much, what are the consequences and what can be done about it? We’ll dig into the why’s and how’s of food waste on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
The U.S. has the biggest health care system in the world, and yet, Americans are not getting healthier. These facts exist as congress is preparing to dismantle and replace a massive national system created just eight years ago. What’s wrong and what’s right with our healthcare system? What can be done to make health care accessible, affordable and effective? We ask those questions, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
At the core of Farm Bureau is the idea that people working together can solve problems. One of our ways to identify future leaders who can carry through on that belief is a contest we call the Discussion Meet. Shana Angle of Bolivar, Danielle Burch of Salem, Katie Lee of Magnolia and Micaela Wright of Arcanum are this year’s final four contestants. Due to the fact that this show was recorded on the same day that the contest finals were held, the winner of the Discussion Meet has already been named. This year’s winner is Danielle Burch.
If you’re a journalist, the ultimate recognition of excellence is the Pulitzer Prize. Today’s guest has one. Connie Schultz was honored in 2005 for distinguished commentary for her Cleveland Plain Dealer columns that the Pulitzer committee said “provided a voice for the underdog and underprivileged.”
On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, Schultz joins us to talk about the journalism profession, and her views on the America we live in.
Two of Ohio’s most important resources are a capacity to produce food, and abundant water. Food and water are necessary for our sustenance, enjoyment, jobs and our economy. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we talk about the intersection between food production and water quality, what farmers are doing to protect both, and how the public plays a role in their success. State Ag Director Dave Daniels, Ohio State Agronomist Greg Labarge and Farm Bureau Exec Adam Sharp talk food production and water quality.
This Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Power Show Ohio takes place at the Ohio Expo Center. It features the latest and greatest in farm, outdoor and construction equipment. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we’ll take inventory of a big part of the system that feeds us all: farm equipment. We’ll go inside the cabs of some of those tractors and combines that cost in the half-million dollar range, and explore the past and future of farm equipment retailing.
To say 2016 was an unusual year for politics would be quite an understatement. While the national scene was rocked, things were comparatively calm in Ohio, unless you consider legalizing pot and having a governor that came pretty close to being on the ballot to be president. Today we look back at 2016, and more so ahead to 2017 in the world of Ohio politics. Veteran statehouse journalists, Karen Kasler and Jim Siegel make up our reporters roundtable, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
What’s in store for your wallet in 2017? Today, it’s a renewal of our annual new - year economic outlook show. Nationwide Sr. Vice President and Chief Economist Dr. David Berson returns to help us think through some of the factors that will impact our families, businesses, farms and communities in the coming year. Interest rates, investments, jobs and of course, the economic implications of a presidency unlike any we’ve seen before. We get some insights into the economy, today, on Town Hall Ohio.
A recap of 2016 show highlights including OSU President Michael Drake, Bob Evans CEO Saed Mohseni, Nationwide Financial president Kirt Walker, World Food Prize laureate Rob Fraley and national security expert Zach Mears.
Whether your connection to animals is with a valued family pet or as an important part of the food chain, a service that’s essential to that animal is veterinary care.
Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine plays a significant role in developing the folks who will make their careers in the veterinary profession.
The college’s dean, Dr. Rustin Moore, joins Farm Bureau’s Adam Sharp to talk about animals and the people who care for them, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
“I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds.” That is the opening of what some of you will recognize as the FFA creed. The organization remains one of the nation’s top developers of agriculturalists and leaders. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, the National FFA’s new CEO, Mark Poeschl and Ohio FFA president, Mary Buehler join Ohio Farm Bureau’s Adam Sharp to talk about the people and programs that help drive our nation’s vitality.
While there are a lot of ways to measure the economic health of a nation, state or community, one universal measurement is jobs. Which is why, early in his first term, Ohio Governor John Kasich announced the creation of a new private non-profit corporation called JobsOhio.
Today, we talk with Aaron Pitts, a senior managing director for JobsOhio, who along with Farm Bureau’s Brandon Kern, will talk about how we’re doing and what we might expect in the future.
Ohio has 608 school districts, 3,387 schools and average daily enrollment near 1.7 million. Paolo Demaria is looking out for every one of them. He’s Ohio’s superintendent of public instruction, and he joins Farm Bureau’s executive vice president Adam Sharp to talk about what Ohio’s schools are doing well, what could be better, and ultimately, making sure Ohio’s young people are prepared for the rest of their lives. Ohio’s educational system is our topic on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
Whatever your feelings about the 2016 election, there are probably some residuals from it that we’ll be dealing with for a long time. To help us analyze what took place and what’s coming next in the world of politics, we have in the studio: Political science professor emeritus Paul Beck from the Ohio State University, Mr. Joe Hallett, retired senior editor from the Columbus Dispatch, and Ms. Yvonne Lesicko, vice president of public policy for the Ohio Farm Bureau.
Since 1960 it’s been pretty much illegal for Americans to have much at all to do with the nation of Cuba. But the relationship is beginning to warm up and for lots of Americans, and Cubans, that could be very good news. There’s an organization that is working to move along the efforts to normalize relations between the two nations called Engage Cuba. From that group, and to help us understand what’s taking place, my guests are Mr. Luis Alcalde of the Ohio law firm Kegler, Brown, Hill and Ritter and a well-travelled advocate for improved Cuban relations; Ms. Addie Bryant of the Engage Cuba organization, and Mr. Branden Kern, Sr. Director of Policy Outreach for Ohio Farm Bureau, which also is a part of the Engage Cuba organization.
Ever hear of Land O’Lakes? Ocean Spray? Sunkist? These are some of the more famous companies that are not shareholder owned but rather are organized as cooperatives. Today, we’re going to learn more about the cooperative way of doing business, and how the U.S. Department of Agriculture is supporting farm, consumer and business co-ops in Ohio and around the country. Our guests are Sam Rikkers, administrator for the rural business-cooperative service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Tony Logan is state director for USDA Rural Development, and Yvonne Lesicko is Farm Bureau’s vice president of public policy.
There are 7.7 million voters in Ohio, and it’s Jon Husted’s job to keep track of all of them. Husted is Ohio’s 53rd Secretary of State. He previously served in the Ohio house, and was its speaker, served in the Ohio senate, and prior to his public service worked for chamber of commerce in Dayton. Also, back with us on this episode of Town Hall Ohio, Adam Sharp, executive vice president of Ohio Farm Bureau.
Clinton campaign spokesman Representative David Leland and Trump campaign spokesman Congressman Bob Gibbs discuss their candidate's positions on foreign policy, immigration, police- community relations, Supreme Court appointments and other topics.
Clinton campaign spokesman Representative David Leland and Trump campaign spokesman Congressman Bob Gibbs discuss their candidate's positions on the economy, fighting terrorism, health care, international trade and other topics.
This fall you’ll be casting some important ballots. President, senator, legislators. And, hopefully, judges. 50% of us tend to either fail to cast a vote for judges or do so infrequently. Today’s guest would like to help us to do better. Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor returns to Town Hall Ohio, and along with Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Adam Sharp, we will discuss a variety of issues centered on the Ohio Judiciary.
It is a scary world out there. There are people who want to do us, and our nation, harm. Today’s guest has spent his career helping America avoid that harm. Dr. Zachary Mears has worked at the highest public and private sector levels. Mears recently came to Columbus to be the assistant vice president for national security and research programs at the Ohio State University, and to hold an advisory office at Battelle, a leading research and development firm headquartered right next door to the university. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we talk about what risks we face, from whom, and what we are or should be doing to keep America safe.
The degree of mistrust between communities and law enforcement is high and seemingly getting higher. In Ohio, Gov. Kasich launched a task force and resulting advisory board aimed at figuring out the problems and working toward solutions.
Our guest to help us better understand the problems and the search for solutions is Mr. Karhlton Moore, executive director of the office of criminal justice services within the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
In 1919, farmers from 30 states gathered in Chicago to create the American Farm Bureau Federation. Its stated purpose “to make the business of farming more profitable and the community a better place to live.” Coming up on its 100th anniversary, the organization has evolved, but its key component hasn’t – and that is the idea of grassroots action by members to get things done. The organization has a new president, Mr. Zippy Duvall, and he’s with Ohio Farm Bureau’s Executive Vice President, Adam Sharp, and OFBF President Frank Burkett on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
Ohio is home to around 11 and a half million people. But we’re also home to about 90 million chickens, more than a million beef and dairy cattle, a couple million pigs and a bunch of sheep, goats, rabbits and assorted other food animals.
With people and critters so close to one another, the potential for problems is big including water quality, noise, odor and infrastructure challenges abound.
On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we talk about protecting Ohioans and preserving animal agriculture.
For almost 100 years, Ohio Farm Bureau has played a significant role in the lives of Ohioans. For the past twenty years, the organization has been lead at the executive level by John C. Fisher. Jack, as he’s best known, is retiring as executive vice president. His successor is Adam Sharp. Today, the two of them join us to talk about farmers, Farm Bureau and the role that the agricultural community plays in every Ohioan’s life. Farm Bureau in transition, today, on Town Hall Ohio.
Beyond his academic, medical and service credentials, OSU President Dr. Michael Drake is a huge music fan, and uses the medium to teach and lecture about social and cultural issues. On this week’s show, Dr. Drake, who serves on the board of directors for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, shares clips from Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Supremes, Beach Boys, Marvin Gaye and more to share insights into music as a reflector and driver of American culture.
Of Ben Franklin’s many famous quotes, one most often cited is “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” When it comes to our financial resources, few of us can afford to fail. Today, Kirt Walker of Nationwide Financial is our guest to help us think through how to build, grow and protect the resources we want to pay for the kid’s college, fund our retirements, and pass on the farm or whatever the goal. Financial planning 101, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
Ohio is a unique state. We have 11 and a half million people, and for virtually every one of us, there’s a farm within a 20 or 30 minute drive. Both urban and rural Ohioans desire a strong local economy and a fulfilling quality of life. Connecting to food and food producers is one of the biggest trends in society today. Today’s guests believe that the fate of both urban areas and rural can be enhanced by supporting each other, in large part, through a food economy. Local foods, urban development and farmland preservation, that’s our conversation this week on Town Hall Ohio.
Since the second Morrill Act of 1890, Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio has sought designation as a land grant university. Two years ago, that goal was attained. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we welcome leaders from Central State to our studios to talk about what its designation as a land grant institution means to the university, its students and the Ohio community as a whole.
Last November, Ohioans overwhelmingly turned down a ballot measure to legalize marijuana in the state of Ohio. 7 months later, the legislature passed and the governor signed a bill that legalizes marijuana in the state of Ohio. Granted, there are significant differences between the ballot plan and the new law, but the fact is that public policy on marijuana in Ohio has changed dramatically and quickly. A law professor and a journalist join us to talk about Ohio’s new medical marijuana law, today, on Town Hall Ohio.
I think for most Americans, the term homeland security originated in the aftermath of 9-11. What many of us may not know is that Ohio has its own homeland security agency. It’s mission: prevention, protection, response and recovery. It works with literally hundreds of other state, federal and local agencies, and with the public, to carry through on that mission. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, Richard Zwayer, Ohio Homeland Security’s executive director, joins us to talk about the work being done to keep us all safe.
What we used to take for granted is now at the center of millions of conversations: food. How it tastes, who grows it, and is it nutritious, safe, and affordable? What’s the role of technology in putting foods on our plates? So called GMO foods have been at the center of debates and disagreements over food safety, environmental protection and even the structure of farming. GMOs in food and the food conversation- today, on Town Hall Ohio.
If you want to know what’s going on in state government, today’s panelists are some great sources. Jo Ingles of Ohio Public Radio, Mark Niquette of Bloomberg and Julie Carr Smyth of the Associated Press are experienced journalists who have the important job of keeping us informed about what’s happening in government. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we’ll talk about the elections, what’s going on with various marijuana proposals and other hot topics from the state capital.
The Bob Evans brand has been part of the restaurant and grocery products landscape for more than 60 years. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, CEO Saed Mohseni and foods division President Mike Townsley, join Ohio Farm Bureau’s Jack Fisher to talk about food, business and community building.
In 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture launched a new initiative- “Know your farmer, know your food.” Its main purpose is to support and promote the growing demand for local and regional food systems.
Over the past 7 years, USDA has invested more than a billion dollars helping farmers, businesses, service organizations and communities, resulting in a huge boost in sales of local foods. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, two top officials from USDA join us to talk about Know your farmer, know your food.
When it comes to truly momentous occasions, this is not one of them. But, it is an occasion of sorts. For ten years now, you and other loyal listeners have tuned in to Town Hall Ohio while getting ready for church, feeding the livestock or surfing around on your computer. The big names, the big issues…today, it’s a listen back over the past decade. Ten years of Town Hall Ohio, this week, on Town Hall Ohio.
Gardening and yard care is big fun and big business. Studies say 78% of Americans have either a lawn or some form of landscaping. Nearly half of all Americans engage in some kind of gardening.
But the numbers drop when we’re asked how well informed we are about the proper care of our piece of the great outdoors.
Today, we’re going to talk about some of the top do’s and don’ts of keeping your green space green. Our guest is Dr. Phil Dwyer, of Scotts Miracle Gro.
If you’re injured on the job, chances are you’ll come into contact with the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation. They’ve been caring for injured workers since 1912. Steve Buehrer has lead BWC for the past five years, but at the end of this week, he steps down from the job.
Mr. Buehrer joins Farm Bureau’s Jack Fisher to talk about keeping Ohioans safe in the workplace and holding down the costs of safety for employers and taxpayers on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
On this week’s episode of Town Hall Ohio, we welcome back a familiar guest. A former teacher, guidance counselor, psychologist and an ordained minister. He’s served as a member of congress, twice, and as governor of the great state of Ohio. Now, he wants to be our next United States senator. Ted Strickland’s Facebook profile highlights his work to create jobs, helping kids and his belief in Ohio values. We will learn more about what that means and why he wants to earn your vote on Town Hall Ohio.
Of the many ills facing society, one of the most horrifying is the explosion of drug abuse. We’re talking both illegal drugs or misused prescription medications, and the scourge isn’t limited to certain demographics or locations -- it’s affecting everyone, everywhere.
How bad is it in Ohio? How can or should we respond? Today we’ll ask those questions of our panel representing law enforcement, state government and the medical profession.
Ohio’s drug epidemic is this week’s topic on Town Hall Ohio. Guests are Andrea Boxill from the Governor's Cabinet Opiate Action Team; Tim Maglione from Ohio State Medical Association and Washington County Sheriff Larry R, Mincks, Sr.
Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services maintains a toll-free information and referral line for Ohioans seeking assistance: 1.877.275.6364. The line is staffed 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Any fan of Law and Order or a John Grisham novel knows that the really big decisions made within our judicial system are made by the United States Supreme Court.
And while presidents and lawmakers are in the news almost every day, it is far less frequently that we hear from or about the nine men and women who sit on the supreme court of the United States.
How’s the court function? What’s in store with the recent passing of an associate justice? Why’s it matter to you and me? These are a few of the questions we’ll explore today on Town Hall Ohio.
One of the many really smart things America’s founding fathers did was to be guided by the concept of property rights. The ability of individuals to own things and determine how it’s used. Of course, with rights come responsibilities. Today on Town Hall Ohio, our guests are three lawyers. Today, we’re going to explore with them what it means to own property, what rights and responsibilities come with that and talk about some of the more common situations that may be the cause of some conflict, either with neighbors or the government.
On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we talk with three close observers of all things policy and politics in the Buckeye state.
Statehouse reporters, Jackie Borchart of the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Northeast Ohio Media Group, Marc Kovac of Dix Newspapers and the Youngstown Vindicator and Mike Thompson of WOSU - TV join us to discuss upcoming elections and pending legislation.
Speakers from recent Ohio Farm Bureau meetings including World Food Prize laureate Dr. Robert Fraley on feeding the world, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine on Ohio's illegal drug epidemic, NFL Hall of Famer Larry Csonka on work ethic, farming and football and Farm Bureau president Steve Hirsch on current ag issues.
What do you think of when you hear the term “environment”? Air, water, soil…Mother Nature? On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we’re going to get a crash course in environmental issues, including how the environment affects us, and how we affect it.
Helping us better understand these things are Dr. Brian Lower of Ohio State University and Dr. Larry Antosch of Ohio Farm Bureau. Two environmental scientists who are going to chat with us about complex issues in plain English.
Every year Ohio Farm Bureau hosts the discussion meet. It could also be called the leadership training contest, because in a nutshell, the idea is to help young adults develop their skills in small group communications. Which would lead to them being capable leaders for Farm Bureau and their communities.
Our 2016 Discussion Meet finalists are our guests this week on Town Hall Ohio. The four finalists are Stephen Caraway of West Union, Mike Derringer of Eaton, Andy Korb of Oxford and Joy Sizemore of Monroeville.
Joy Sizemore was unable to join for the Town Hall Ohio episode.
OSU President Dr. Michael Drake and Ohio Farm Bureau’s Jack Fisher talk about food security, college affordability, athletics and campus safety
Americans eat a lot. But with only around 5 percent of the world’s population, there are billions of mouths to be fed elsewhere.
At the foreign agriculture service of the United States department of agriculture, they’re working to help American farmers, businesses and workers earn and maintain a sizeable share of that world marketplace.
Ohio is the nation’s 9th largest exporting state. We sell into more than 200 different countries. Supplying foreign buyers creates jobs in manufacturing, transportation, finance and many other areas, including farms. Nationally, agriculture is a large positive contributor to our nation’s balance of trade.
This week’s guest is someone who’d like to keep it that way. Mr. Phil Karsting heads up the foreign ag service, and joins us to talk about the opportunities and challenges of feeding the world.
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, retiring AFBF President Bob Stallman and new president Zippy Duval plus county Farm Bureau members from Ohio are among the highlights of our coverage of the 97th annual meeting of the American Farm Bureau Federation.
One of Ohio’s most recently developed economic engines is the huge supply of shale oil, gas, and bi-products. But for it to be useful, it has to be moved from where it’s drilled to where it’ll be used for fuel, manufacturing and other needs. For the most part, that transportation is via pipeline. There are some 2 million miles of pipelines across the United States, and the operator of much of that system is the Texas based company Kinder Morgan. They’re the largest energy infrastructure company in America. And they have in place a plan to put in a new pipeline stretching across the breadth of the state. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, their vice president, Allen Fore joins us to talk about infrastructure, safety, jobs and environmental protection.
Tis the time of year for top ten lists. The biggest news stories. Top ten albums, exceptional TV moments, buzzwords or whatever some media outlet deems worth of memorializing. So as to not get left out, Town Hall Ohio joins the fray. Not so much a top ten, but maybe more like a greatest hits show. Politician, educators, environmentalists... We'll look back at some of the more prominent guest who took the time to visit with you during 2015 Town Hall Ohio.
For some farmers, the developing market for locally grown food is an exciting business opportunity. For some consumers, access to these local food is greatly enjoyed. But what would it look like if local food production and consumption wasn't just for some people. What if it were a part of the mainstream? On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we explore the possibilites of scaling up to a local food systems that would benefit farmers, consumers and communities. Guests: Brian Williams, agricultural specialist with the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission; Tony Logan, director of USDA Rural Development in Ohio; and Steve Berk, Ohio Farm Bureau organization director.
Craft brewing output has more than doubled in just five years. Nationally, it’s a 102 billion dollar market. Ohio ranks fourth nationally in craft-brew production at 1.27 million barrels a year. This episode looks into this exploding industry. Guests are Tim Ward of North High Brewing in Columbus, executive director of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association Mary McDonald and Akron Beacon Journal reporter and craft brewing blogger and author Rick Armon.
Our grandparents learned about Presidential Candidates by reading the paper or even actually pressing the flesh. Today, we're informed by tweets, robo calls and TV shouting matches disguised as debates. We're in the midst of presidential primaries, and if we hope to end up with a couple of solid candidates, we're obliged to do our part. In this episode, two professors who know politics and how voters behave are in to help us perform our civic duty. Guests: Dr. Dan Birdsong from University of Dayton, where he teaches courses on politics, campaigns, media and public opinion; and Dr. Jerry Miller from Ohio University where he specializes in political communication, advertising and debate.
From fishing to fracking, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is charged with taking care of Ohio's great outdoors. Heading that agency is Director, Jim Zehringer. Today he joins OFBF Executive Vice President, Jack Fisher, to talk about energy, water, wildlife, recreation and more. Length 39:20
Educator & author Dickson Despommier mentions in his book that 10-12,000 years ago, humans began to systematically modify their environment to meet their basic biological needs. Among those was the need to feed themselves. He has some ideas to a modern modification: the vertical farm. Length 39:20
Food, farming, jobs, and education. These are just a few of the topics watched over and influenced by the House Agriculture and Rural Development committee of the Ohio General Assembly. Let's focus on some key issues. Guest: Rep. Brian Hill, chair, and Rep. Tony Burkley, vice chair. Length 39:20
Maureen O'Connor is the 10th Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, and the first women to hold that position. One of her latest initiatives is to tackle the problem in Ohio...our less than enthusiastic participation in judicial elections. Length 39:20
Mid-Ohio Foodbank serves a large area of Ohio by providing meals to more than half a million people. Hunger. How can we best help those who need help? Guest: Matt Habash, Pres / CEO, Mid-Ohio Foodbank; Dr. Bobby Moser, Ohio State University and member of the foodbank board. Length: 39:20
These are exciting times for the Republicans in Ohio. They have a candidate running for president, and they prepare to host the 2016 National Convention. Plus they're in the midst of an interesting race for a U.S. Senate seat. Guest: Matt Borges, Chairman, Ohio Republican Party. Length: 39:20
Almost 1.5 million Ohioans either heat their home, power their businesses or otherwise make use of the products and services of Columbus Gas of Ohio, the largest natural gas utility in Ohio. Guest: Dan Creekmur, president, Columbia Gas of Ohio. Length: 39:20
The Natural Resources Conservation Service is a federal agency that makes its mark by helping people accomplish what they want to do when it comes to conservation. Guests: NRCS Chief, Jason Weller; State Conservationist, Terry Cosby; Jack Fisher, OFBF. Length 39:20
The FFA jacket is one of the most iconic brands in America. What does the FFA of 2015 look like, and why is it important to everybody? Guests: Matthew Klopfenstein, Ohio FFA president; Christi Bachman, Ag Education Teacher, Bloom Carroll Schools; Katy Endsley, FFA Program Manager. Length 39:20
The Healthy Water Coalition is a unique group of diverse interests that pulled together to take a strategic look at how to preserve our water. Guests: Steve Hirsch, Ohio Farm Bureau; Josh Knights, Ohio Nature Conservancy; Ann Aquillo, Scott's Miracle Gro; Jack Williams, City of Ottawa. Length 39:20
Some 600,000 students are part of the public higher education system in Ohio. John Carey is chancellor of the Department of Higher Education. How can we make colleges more affordable, assure graduates they'll get jobs and use higher education to better our communities? Length: 39:20
Fiscally responsible government. That's one of the major themes you'll hear from Congressman Pat Tiberi. Congressman Pat Tiberi and OFBF Executive Vice President, Jack Fisher talk about funding and spending issues, and a few other important topics. Length 39:20
The Ohio Chamber of Commerce traces its roots back to 1893. Today they represent the interest of 8 thousand business of all shapes and sizes. Guest: Andy Doehrel, President & CEO, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, and Jack Fisher, Executive VP, OFBF. Length 39:20
With a world filled with people who don't much like America, critical economic challenges at hand, and pressing social issues to resolve, Ohioans want a strong voice in Washington DC. Senator Rob Portman talks about the big topics that affect our lives. Length 39:20
Protecting families, protecting farmers, protecting families, these are a few of the jobs done on a daily basis by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. ODA touches every Ohioan through its regulatory and marketing functions. Guest : ODA Director, Dave Daniels, OFBF Exec. VP, Jack Fisher Length 39:20
This November, Ohioans may be making one of the more serious policy decisions of their lives. Should marijuana be legalized in Ohio? Guest: Dr. Beau Kilmer, Sr. Policy Researcher, Rand Corporation, and Jack Fisher, Exec. V.P. Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. Length 39:20
Drive through Eastern Ohio and the impact of Oil and Gas Exploration are immediately evident. New businesses are starting, unemployment is down, but it won't last forever and there are cost to consider. Citizens are talking about these situations and how to protect their way of life. Length 39:20
Whether it's algae in Lake Erie or nitrates in Columbus water supply, the issue of how we can have both clean water and productive agriculture is a hot topic. Can clean water and food production coexist? Guest: Adam Rissien, Ohio Environmental Council, and Adam Sharp, Ohio Farm Bureau. Length 39:20
A lot of action has taken place so far in the Ohio legislature. Reviewing the action of Ohio government at the half-way mark with members of the Ohio Legislative Correspondence Association. Guest: Karen Kasler, Ohio Public Radio and Television, and Robert Higgs, Cleveland Plain Dealer. Length 39:20
In Ohio, people are going hungry. What's going on? And more to the point, how do we stop it? Causes, consequences and hopefully some cures for hunger in Ohio. Guest: Lisa Hamler Fugitt, Ohio Association of Food Banks, Ben Johnson, Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services. Length 39:20
A new industry may be coming to Ohio worth $4 billion annually. It's a product favored by some 87%.of Ohioans but is a little controversial.Marijuana for medicinal use, recreational use, or both. Guest: Douglas Berman, Professor of Law, OSU, Alan Johnson, Columbus Dispatch. Length 39:20
Many of us do our shopping at Kroger. Often we converse with the butcher, stock person, and possibly the cashier. But did you know that Kroger has a group of folks that can help you chose wisely and eat healthier? Guests: Molly McBride and Alysson Kuhn, Kroger Corporate Dietitians. Length 39:20
As states voting preferences go, there are red ones and blue ones, Then there's Ohio, often called a purples state because it bounces back and forth.between party preferences. David Pepper, Chairman Of the Ohio Democratic Party, has a plan to help fellow Democrats. Length 39:20
The annual trek to Washington DC for Ohio Farm Bureau's county presidents was held recently. You'll get a chance to hear from many of the speakers they heard including both Ohio Senator's and many members of Congress. Length: 39:20
Dr. Michael Drake became Ohio State University's 15th president at the end of last June. He shares his thoughts on Ohio State, its mission, responsibilities, and maybe even a little bit about its football team. Guests: Dr. Drake, and Jack Fisher, Ohio Farm Bureau, Exec. VP. Length 39:20
Two of Ohio's greatest resources are fresh water and fertile farmland. Last summer we learned these resources don't exist independently. A Lake Erie algal bloom shut down Toledo's drinking water system, and farmer were cited as the guilty party. What's ag doing to protect water? Length 39:20
The Secretary of State's office has a sometimes overlooked role in the business community, and this month they're promoting the importance of the agricultural industry. Guest: Secretary of State Jon Husted, OFBF Exec. VP, Jack Fisher. Length 39:20
With the growth in demand for local foods comes the growth of local food companies. The art and science of building a food manufacturing business and what it means for Ohio farmers, consumers, and economy. Guest:Rebecca Singer, CIFT, Ann Trudel, Ann's Raspberry Farms, Lori Panda, ODA. Length 39:20
Farmers aren't the only ones excited about warmer temperatures. Home gardeners and landscapers love the idea of soon having their hands in the soil. Hot trends and tips on lawn, landscaping and food gardens. Guest. Pam Bennett, OSU Extension, State Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator. Length 39:20
Overseeing the modern version of agriculture at Ohio State is Dr. Bruce McPheron, Dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He and OFBF, Exec. VP, Jack Fisher talk food, farming and more. Length: 39:20
In January, Cliff Rosenberger was elected to serve as Speaker of the Ohio House. Speaker Rosenberger and OFBF Executive VP, Jack Fisher talk state budget, tax reform, education and more. Length 39:20
Patient safety is a new phrase being heard in hospitals. Dr. Bob Falcone, Vice President of Clinical Quality and Population Health, and John Palmer, Director of Public Affairs with the Ohio Hospital Association, discuss safety and other health related issues. Length 39:20
Ohio Legislators have their hands full working toward passing a budget, addressing big issues related to the economy, education and the environment. What can the government do, what shouldn't it do, and will it probably do? Guest: Senate President Keith Faber, OFBF Exec. VP. Jack Fisher Length 39:20
Learn more about Nationwide's "Make Safe Happen" campaign, which debuted in a controversial Super Bowl ad, in this snippet from an upcoming Town Hall Ohio episode.
Ohio Farm Bureau keeps track of the goings on in state government as a service to its members. There is also another watchdog that OFBF relies on: the media. A visit with statehouse reporters in front of a live audience at the annual Ag Day at the Capital. Length 39:20 Special guest: Jo Ingles, Ohio Public Radio and TV, Jim Siegel, The Columbus Dispatch, and Jackie Borchart, The Plain Dealer, NE Media Group.
Global energy output needs to increase by about 40 % in the next 20 years. Where will it come from? Energy issues, challenges and opportunities. Guest. Ted Ford, Pres., Ohio Advanced Energy Economy, Bill Spratley, Exec. Dir., Green Energy Ohio, Dale Arnold, Dir. Energy Policies, OFBF Length 39:20
Can we have clean water without harming our capacity to grow food? Is energy exploration and development possible without harming Mother Nature? Guest: Craig Butler, Director, OEPA, Jack Fisher, Exec. VP, OFBF. Length 39:20
The coming year will be a busy one in the Ohio General Assembly. Helping to guide the discussions will be Senate Minority Leader, Joe Schiavoni. Guest: Sen. Joe Schiavoni, Jack Fisher, Exec. VP, OFBF. Length 39:20
Steak, chops, roast, wings, Most of us like to have meat on our plates. What does it take to make this happen? And, what are some social issues that may make us ask questions about animal protein? Guest; Elizabeth Harsh, OCA, Jim Chakares, OPA, Roger High, OSIA, Bryan Humphreys, OPC. Length 39:20
The Ohio Development Services Agency plays a big role in the economic development for Ohio, its communities and its individuals. What do they do? How do they do it? And how do they measure success? Guest. David Goodman, Ohio Development Service Agency, Jack Fisher, OFBF. Length 39:20
One of the most useful skills any of us can have is the ability to handle money, but many struggle at this. Experts from Ohio State University look at money handling issues and offer some solutions. Guest OSU Extension Educators, Betsy Dematteo,Hamilton Co. and Nancy Stehulak. Henry Co. Length 39:20
We are in the 6th year of the economic recovery that began in mid 2009, and the National Business Association of Business Economists has predicted that this year the economy could grow another 3.1 percent. It's best performance in 10 years. Guest: Dr. David Berson, Chief Economist, Nationwide. Length 39:20
Everywhere you turn someone wants to tell you how to eat; what food, how it should be farmed, and even how it should be cooked. We talk today about the dietary guidelines established by the United States Department of Agriculture, how they are formulated and how they should be used. Length 39:20
Economist, professor, speaker, and futurist, Dr. Lowell Catlett, New Mexico State University, was the keynote speaker at the 2nd annual Ohio Farm and Food Leadership Forum, and took time to visit with Joe Cornely to discuss some of the items he shared with the audience. Length 39:20
It doesn't matter what business you're in, somebody isn't going to like you. But how'd you like to be the public face of a company blamed for generally poisoning the world's food supply. Janice Person, a spokesperson for Monsanto, talks about food, farming and bridge-building. Length 39;20
Food has moved from being the center of our plates to being at the center of our lives. Today's guest are food writers. Guest: Lisa Abraham, Columbus Dispatch, and Robin Davis, Kenyon College. Length 39:20
The aftereffects of the 2014 election. Why did the democrats take such as shellacking? With the GOP controlling the senate, what's in store in Washington? Will a couple of Ohioans run for the presidency? Guest: Political analyst, Paul Beck and Bloomburg reporter, Mark Niquette Length 39:20
What started as a kind of retirement program has grown by leaps and bounds. Today, some want it to expand while others want it to go away. The What's, How's, and Why's of Social Security. Guest: Darren Lutz, Public Affair Specialist, Social Security Administration. Length 39:20
Keeping workers safe, and helping to pay for their care when that doesn't happen is the job of Ohio's Bureau of Workers' Compensation. How do they do that at the most reasonable cost? Guest: Steve Buehrer, Adminstrator, OBWC, Dan Rapp, Sr. Director, Business Development, OFBF Length: 39:20
Most of us began our lives and many of us may end them in a hospital.These community institutions provide medical care, research, and jobs.Let's discuss patient care, policy issues and economics of hospitals. Guest: Mike Abrams, and Dr. Bob Falcone, Ohio Hospital Association. Length: 39:20
The United States Secretary of Agriculture was in Ohio recently to celebrate the land grant status of Central State, to visit a bioproducts conference, and of course to spend time with Town Hall Ohio listeners. Guest. Tom Vilsack, USDA Secretary of Agriculture. Length 39:20
For many of us the biggest investment we'll ever make is the purchase of a home. Because it's a lot of money, we better get it right. We're talking about real estate issues. Guest: Chris Hall, president, Ohio Association of Realtors, Bob Fletcher, CEO, Ohio Association of Realtors. Length: 39:20
Tamar Haspel of the Washington Post shares her thoughts and food and farming. Length 39:20
Science and related topics are where future jobs are. It drives our quality of life and is what keeps us safe and secure. Why is science under appreciated and what are the consequences. Dr. Stephen McConoughey, Ohio Academy of Science CEO, discusses this and more on Town Hall Ohio. Run time: 36.19
To attained the status of a Fortune 100 company, you've done some things right. To stay there, you need to adapt to change. Nationwide Insurance was founded by the Ohio Farm Bureau back in the 1920's. Guest: Mark Pizzi, Nationwide president and COO, and Jack Fisher, Exec. VP, OFBF, Length 39:20
Immigration reform, water quality, food and farm policy, care for veterans, all big issues for Ohioans and all on the plate these days of U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown. Guest, Sen. Sherrod Brown, Jack Fisher, OFBF Exec. VP. Length: 39:20
The art and science of putting food on our tables has become increasingly complex. Making sure farmers can do their job is the job of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Guest: Bob Stallman, President, AFBF; and Julie Anna Potts, Exec. VP, AFBF. Length 39:20
Democrat David Pepper and Republican Mike DeWine would both like to be your Attorney General. What does the Attorney General do? and why do these gentlemen feel they should get the job? Length 39:20
The city of Toledo, a long symbol of rust belt decay, has been making a comeback, but last weekend close to half a million residents in that area were told to.not drink the water.Today we focus on the Toledo water crises and the relationship between farming and water quality. Length 39:20
Rep. John Patrick Carney (D), and Dave Yost (R) and current Ohio Auditor, are both wanting to be elected as the next Auditor of the state of Ohio. Both gentlemen share their thoughts on the role of government, and what they will do in office to make our lives better. Length 39:20
Ohio has 60 thousand miles of rivers and streams, and 265 thousand acres of lakes and ponds. Water is abundant and probably deserves more thought than we may give it. So a coalition known as Healthy Water Ohio was formed. The media learned more about the coalition, now so do you.
Whether you come for the rides, the livestock shows, the entertainment or for the food, you'll experience one of the great traditions of being a buckeye. Guest: Virgil Strickler, GM Ohio Expo Center, Alicia Shoultz, Ohio Expo Center. Length 39:20
Nov. 4 you will have the chance to cast your ballot for many state offices, including that of State Treasurer. Democrat - Rep. Connie Pillich, Republican - Treasurer, Josh Mandel, discuss various issues and explain why they are the best candidate for Treasurer. Length 39:20
We are only 4 months away from election day. On November 4th, we will chose a Governor, Treasurer, Secretary of State and Attorney General. We plan to chat with all statewide office candidates and we start today with candidates for Secretary of State. Guest: Jon Husted and Nina Turner. Length:39:20
Each year Farm Bureau host a Discussion Meet contest to help develop the next generation of leaders by testing their subject knowledge, problem solving abilities and communication skills.Three of this years finalist are in studio to share their insight into agriculture and society. Length 39:20
When you mark your ballot for a judicial candidate, how much do you know about them? Is this the best means of selecting judges? Ohio's Chief Justice, Maureen O'Connor, thinks there's a better way. Hear what she has to say. Guest: Justice O'Connor, Jack Fisher, Exec. VP, OFBF Length 39:20
Ohio has a bounty of natural resources and a bounty of home-grown foods. However, food production is having an impact on our water resources. The news the past few summers have stories on algae blooms. What role does agriculture play and what's being done to make things better? Length 39:20
Wilmington College's annual Food Symposium was held recently, and this year titled – Beyond Nutrition – Rethinking Our Relationship with Food. The keynote speaker was alternative farming guru Joel Salatin. Also a panel of local food leaders gave their thoughts on food and farming. Length: 39:20
According to Time magazine, White Castle Sliders has a major influence on America's food culture. It's time to talk food safety, business issues and farming practices. Guest Jamie Richardson, VP. White Caste, Jack Fisher, Ex. VP, OFBF Length 39:20
What does the law say about your land projects that impact someone else’s drainage, or about when theirs affects you? OFBF director of ag law and Joe Cornely discuss reasonable use” standards, petition ditch law and other drainage topics.
The city of Cleveland is home to a multitude of significant business and industries, the arts, professional sports teams and other big city features. It is also home to one of the nations largest contiguous urban farms. Ohio City Farm is the center of what many call a local food hub. Length 39:20
Some 60 percent of our energy comes from oil and natural gas. The industry that delivers that to us is diverse, accounting for about 8 percent of the total economy and nearly 9 million jobs and $85 million. Guest Rayoloa Doughter, American Petroleum Institute, Adam Sharp,OFBF. Length: 39:20
Most of us are proud of our state, and we like it when others get the chance to see the things that makes Ohio a great place to live and work. But it's more than pride, it can also be a huge economic boost. Guest: Mary Cusick, Ohio Tourism office, Pat Petzel, Ohio Farm Bureau. Length: 39:20
To give farmers a chance to spend time on the big picture, OFBF hosts its annual Trend and Issues Conference. This year's speakers talk about high tech, social license for agriculture and the future of Ohio State University. Guests: Matt Bechdol, GeoSilos; Terry Fleck, CFI; Jack Fisher, OFBF.
Economic development is not only in urban areas. USDA Rural Development works on development in rural America. Guests: USDA Deputy Under Secretary Doug O'Brien, Ohio's Director of USDA Rural Development Tony Logan and OFBF's Yvonne Lesicko. Length 39:20
What's the next big thing in the grocery store? New foods? New experiences? The place we go to buy food and what we find there is undergoing dramatic change. It's time to get a grip on our groceries. Guest: Phil Lempert, The Supermarket Guru. Length 39:20
One factor most closely linked to our quality of life is our health. But how do we maintain it, and is it our job or our doctors job? What determines it; genetics, environment, or behavior? We talk healthcare with Dr. Steven Gabbe, OSU Medical Center, and Jack Fisher, Exec. VP, OFBF. Length: 39:20
Given the fact it hasn't stopped snowing since last November, we're not too anxious to think about next November but we need to. It's an election year and we have a panel of political reporters to give us a look ahead. Guest: Karen Kasler, Ohio Public Radio/TV, Jim Heath, WBNS, Marc Kovac, Dix News.
As listeners of the show you probably have an understanding of how the county Farm Bureaus are linked to Ohio Farm Bureau. Well, our state organization is linked to the American Farm Bureau Federation. AFBF Executive VP, Julie Anna Potts, and OFBF President, Steve Hirsch are our guest. Length 39:20
The plan is by the end of March some 7 million Americans will be signed up for health insurance. Some say that's good for the insured and the health profession, while others say it socialized medicine. Guest: Dr. Steven Gabbe, OSU, Ben Southerly, Columbus Dispatch, Dan Rapp, OFBF Length: 39:20
If you some time on Sunday mornings reading the newspaper, then you may be familiar with the political column by Joe Hallett, senior editor of the Columbus Dispatch. That column and a lot of other good reporting is going away as Joe retires after more than 40 years in the business. Length 39:20
They call it “The People's House.” The Ohio Statehouse is both a monument to the history of our state, and the seat of our modern day government. We learn about this historic Ohio landmark. Guest; Cheryl Straker and Luke Stedke, Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board. Length 39:20
By most accounts, 2013 was a pretty good year for the economy. But what's in store for 2014? Nationwide chief economist Dr. David Berson gives some insights into the state, national and global economy for the coming year. Length: 39:20
What's in store at the Statehouse for 2014? We look at top issues from 2013, and preview state government news stories you'll be reading and hearing about in the coming year. Guest: Laura Bischoff, Dayton Daily News, Mike Thompson, WOSU TV, and Marcus Roth, Gongwer News Service. Length: 39:20
Meat has been part of our diet for thousands of years. This day having some type of meat as part of a meal is something we often take for granted. Over time, how has meat not only fit into our diet, but in society as a whole? Guest: author, Maureen Ogle. Length 39:20
There are nearly 840 thousand students attending college in Ohio, and close to a third of them are going to community colleges. Ohio's 23 community colleges are catering to students fresh out of high school or in mid life making major career changes. Length: 39:20
In the1920’s, Ohio Farm Bureau members weren't happy with the way they were treated by auto insurance companies, so they started their own. Today, Nationwide Insurance has blossomed into a Fortune 100 company. Nationwide's president and COO, Mark Pizzi, talks all things insurance. Length 39:20
Turkey production, some holiday myths and traditions, and a report on how much you likely spent on feeding the family this year. We're putting the wrap on Thanksgiving. Length 39:20
In today's political world, it seems there are only two sides: left and right. However, things get done in the middle. So what's the secret to getting things done? Guest: Ted Celeste, founder Next Generation, Ohio Senator, Frank Larose, 27th District. Length: 39:20
One of our most basic expectations as Ohioans is to feel safe. Assuring that expectation is met, is in large part a responsibility of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. Guest: John Born, Director ODPS, Colonel Paul Pride, Superintendent OSHP, Jack Fisher, Exec. Dir. OFBF. Length: 39:20
Keith Faber is the president of the Ohio Senate and has made his mark in Ohio politics by supporting lower taxes, restraint in state spending and overall smaller and more responsive government. Discussion with Sen. Faber. Guest: Sen. Keith Faber, Jack Fisher, Exec. VP, OFBF. Length 39:20
When it comes to being a successful farming enterprise, Cooper Farms meets that standard. Producing 200 million pounds of live turkeys every year. More than 300 thousand pigs and some 30 million dozen table eggs. And yet, it's a family operation. Guest: Gary Cooper, COO Cooper Farms, Length 39:20.
Ohio’s Senator Sherrod Brown is on the farm bill conference committee, and spoke with OFBF’s Joe Cornely about crop insurance, the link between farm programs and nutrition programs, agriculture’s clout in DC and how a farm bill might show congress how to get along.
Should Ohio expand it's Medicaid program? The question comes with a variety of economic, health and moral implications, as well as some political ones. Guest: Jon Allison, Ohio Alliance for Health Transformation; Robert Alt, Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions.
National Rural Education Forum will be in Ohio and will focus on unique challenges for rural schools, and some education topics that get to the heart of preparing young folks to lead productive lives. Guest: Jim Mahoney, Battelle for Kids; Dr. Ivan Wilson, Ohio Department of Education. Length: 39:20
Women farmers are increasingly a part of the farming community, and not just in the traditional role as a farmers wife. The what's, why's and how's of women in farming. Guest: Bryn Bird, Bird's Haven Farm; Sue Borton, Brickle Creek Organic Farm; Sharon Sachs, Women Farm. Length: 39:20
It is projected that by 2050 the worlds populations will be somewhere near 9 billion. This growth will create many challenges, including how to feed everybody. Ohio State University's Food Innovation Center, recently hosted the Food for Billions Symposium to discuss this issue.
Farmers are realizing they need to be more in tune with the consuming public. People may know a lot less about food production, but their more interested in it than ever. This reality drove the conversation at the recent annual meeting of the Ohio Livestock Coalition.
If you want a government that accomplishes things that benefit Ohio, you have to engage with the people who carry out government's work. Farm Bureau has a history of talking with the people who affect our daily lives. This is all part of the Policy Development process at OFBF.
Protecting nature - preserving life, is the mission of The Nature Conservancy. A leading conservation organization working to protect ecologically important lands and waters in a non-confrontational pragmatic way. Guest: Josh Knights, TNC,Ohio Exec. Dir; Jack Fisher, OFBF, Exec. VP.
There are no shortage of opinions about how food should be produced. Often these differing views don't listen to each other. Recently the Ohio Farm Bureau, the Ohio Soybean Council and the US Farmers and Ranchers Alliance participated in an event to create a civil discussion about food.
In a world of almost unlimited media options, one of the oldest forms of mass communications seems to be holding its own. However, what you listen to o the radio today is changing. Guest: Jeff Rehl, Clear Channel Communications, Dave Glass, Findlay Publishing Company.
The National Federation of Independent Businesses turns 70 this year. It provides representation before government, products, services and public outreach for it's members. The execs from NFIB and Ohio Farm Bureau talk business in Ohio. Guest: Roger Geiger, NFIB; Jack Fisher, OFBF.
The Ohio Department of Health's mission is to protect and improve the health of all Ohioans by preventing diseases, promoting good health, and assuring access to quality care. What is the department's plan to make Ohioans healthier in an efficient fashion? Guest: Dr. Theodore Wymyslo, Director ODH
The debate over the best means of raising food has been around for a long time.The public discussion has been fueled by books, magazines and other forms of literature. Today we look at the connection between food policy and literature with UCLA professor and author Allison Carruth.
It's time once again for the Ohio State Fair, and the Ohio Farm Bureau's Land and Living exhibit. Listen as we highlight some of this years special events and attractions.
Tracy Maxwell Heard is a seven year member of the Ohio House of Representatives but only recently became the House Minority Leader. We hear her views on various key issues? Guest: Tracy Maxwell Heard, Jack Fisher, Exec. V.P. OFBF.
How do we make our schools better for students, teachers, and the entire community? Battelle for kids is a national non-profit that is looking into what it will take to obtain educational excellence. Guest: Dr. Jim Mahoney, Exec. Dir., Battelle for Kids.
One of the most important function Farm Bureau provides for our communities is to help develop young leaders. Developing leaders and critical thinkers is part of a competition called the Discussion Meet. Today we meet this years finalist in this competition.
Animals play a role in our daily lives. We have three veterinarians studio to talk about everything animals.Guest: Tony Forshey, DVM, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Susan Skoropski, DVM, Unites States Department of Agriculture, Leah Dorman, DVM, Director of Food Programs, OFBF.
Ohio Democratic Party Chairman, Chris Redfern and Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President, Jack Fisher talk some political philosophy and discuss the important issues facing Ohioans.
Expanding economic opportunities through innovation, that's part of the vision statement for the United States Department of Agriculture. We discuss that vision along with food and farming with our guest, Michael Scuse, USDA Deputy Secretary, and Jack Fisher, OFBF Exec. VP.
Democrats bash Ohio's economy because Gov. Kasich is in office and Republicans slam the national economy because President Obama is in charge. This episode tries something unique by talking to an economist about the ecomony. Guest: Dr. David Berson, Sr VP and Chief Economist, Nationwide Insurance.
The state government is involved in a variety of issues including the state budget. We hear from members of the statehouse press on these various issues. Guest: Bill Cohen, Ohio Public Radio, Laura Bischoff, Dayton Daily News, Robert Higgs, Plain Dealer.
Toxic blue-green algae will soon be back on Lake Erie, Grand Lake St. Mary’s and others. We take a look at algal bloom, their causes, and what can be done about them. Guest: Larry Antosch, OFBF; Jeff Reuter, Ohio Sea Grant; Greg LeBarge, OSU Extension. Mobile users, listen using players below.
For the better part of 25 years, Bob Bennett has run the Ohio Republican Party. In about a month he is going to be stepping down from the chairmanship of the Ohio GOP. He shares his thoughts on politics, government and issues important to Ohio.
Did you know flooding is Ohio's most common natural disaster? This week's show features a discussion of flooding in Ohio with Steve Ferryman, OEMA; Scott Jackson, USGS; Christopher Thoms, ODNR; Tom Reider, Ohio Historical Society; Seth Teter and Darren Frank, OFBF.
What issues do farmers face in today's world? How do we address those issues? That was the topic of a recent meeting hosted by Ohio Farm Bureau. Hunger, education, water quality and other issues were discussed. Guest included: Ted McKinney, Elanco, Karl Gebhardt, ODNR, and others.
Back in 2009 the Ohio Farm Bureau launched a charitable organization with a goal of creating awareness of the value animals bring to human life. The Animals for Life Foundation recently hosted a meeting which featured animal scientist and autism advocate Temple Grandin.
In a speech titled “A Blueprint for the 21st Century University,” a renowned educator and administrator articulated a variety of issues facing higher education. Who delivered this speech? Guests: E. Gordon Gee, President, Ohio State University, and Jack Fisher, Exec. VP, OFBF.
Ohio Farm Bureaus’ county presidents make an annual trek to the nation’s capital to petition their government. Listen to what they heard as they met with Speaker John Boehner, Senators Brown and Portman, Congressman Paul Ryan and many others.
Some recent films have put the bright lights squarely on issues facing the countryside. What does this mean to rural America? Guest: Dale Arnold,OFBF; George Wolf, movie critic, Dr. Scott Vernon, Cal Poly State University; Justin Chang, Variety Magazine; Laura Sutherly, OFBF member.
The Soil and Water Conservation Society of Ohio recently held a conference titled "Adapting Agriculture To Extreme Weather". Those in attendance got to hear from experts on this topic. Guest included Jim Hoorman, OSU Extension Educator Jeff Rogers, Ohio state climatologist, and more.
Ohio's oil and gas industry is exploding. Not literally but to some extent it could impact just about everybody. There is potential benefits to individuals and communities throughout the state. Guests: Dale Arnold, OFBF; Attorney Richard Emens; and Dave Claus, ODNR.
Each year Ohio Farm Bureau host Ag Day at the Capitol. This event allows Farm Bureau members from around the state travel to the statehouse to meet with the legislators and talk about issue important to Ohio agriculture. Guest: Rep. Batchelder, Rep. Hall, Rep. Derickson, Sen. Faber.
We joke about Ohio weather and waiting 10 minutes for it to change, but the often changing news about our food is no laughing matter. Using scientific reports to determine which news about our food to trust. Guest: Kimberly Reed, International Food Information Council Foundation.
There are a lot of people who don’t have health insurance. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was put into place to address that issue three years ago. What has happened and what is left to be done? Guest: Amy Rohling McGee, President, Health Policy Institute of Ohio.
Eat this, don’t eat that. We’re surrounded by advice on what we should consume with the USDA Dietary Guidelines being our basis. Let's compares what the government thinks we should eat and what we actually eat. Guest: Richard Volpe, USDA research economist.
Ohio's economy is on an uptick. Even though some communities have yet to bounce back, some communities are having a growth spurt. Two OSU researchers talk about helping communities make economic comebacks. Guest: OSU professor Mark Partridge, and research asst. Amanda Weinstein.
Eastern Ohio is on the verge of an energy driven economic boom. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has lots of ideas on how to maximize America’s and Ohio’s energy potential. Guest: Christopher Guith, VP of Policy, Institute for 21st Century Energy.
Antibiotic resistance is a hot topic. Does the use of antibiotics in farm animals mean that we are at risk of losing the effectiveness of human antibiotics? That was the topic of a national conference of the National Institute of Animal Agriculture held recently in Columbus.
Agriculture has gone hi-tech, from smart phones to iPads, from robotic milking to auto steer tractors. Many new gadgets making farming more productive, efficient and safer. But how are farmers receiving all this technology? What does this mean for the future of agriculture?
More than 800 Farm Bureau members and special guest attended the 94th OFBF annual meeting in order to establish policy and hear from various presenters. This year also included a question and answer session between farmers and Governor Kasich. We recap this year's event.
If you buy energy from an investor owned utility, it’s the job of the office of Ohio’s Consumers' Counsel to make sure you don’t get hosed. Guests on this week's show include Consumers' Counsel Bruce Weston, Governing Board Chairman Gene Krebs, OCC Director of Public Affairs Amy Kurt and OCC staff member Ray Foeller.
Ohio Farm Bureau is partial to leaders who can make their points and are inclusive in their decision making. Our annual Discussion Meet competition is aimed at finding such leaders. Meet our four finalists Jon Hensler, Brad Heimerl, Christen Clemson and Lynnsey Schimerich.
Town Hall Ohio host Joe Cornely discusses the 2012 election results and analysis with Mark Niquette, Bloomberg News Political Reporter; and Paul Black, Ohio State Political Scientist. Mobile users listen below.
Get to know the organization that keeps Ohio High School sports together. Guest host, Ty Higgins, discusses Ohio High School sports with guests Dr. Dan Ross, Commissioner, OHSAA; Roxanne Price, Asst. Commissioner, OHSAA; Dave Cecutti, Commissioner, Ohio Capital Conference. Mobile users, listen below.
Issue 2 would change Ohio’s Constitution by changing the way legislative and congressional districts are drawn. The ballot measure would remove the authority of elected officials and give map drawing power to a 12-member commission. 'Town Hall Ohio' Host Joe Cornely hosts a good ole fashioned debate on this week's show. To listen to segments of the show listen below and scroll over the 'Town Hall Ohio' logo in the audio clip to find parts of the show that most interest you.
Ohio is known as the birthplace of aviation. The Wright brothers, John Glenn and Neil Armstrong are not just part of our past they are a foundation for a still growing industry. Guest: Mike Heil, Ohio Aerospace Institute, and Joe Zeis, Ohio Aerospace and Aviation Council.
When it comes to preventing and curing disease and illnesses, some new players are on the team. Human health experts are collaborating with their colleagues in animal health. The concept is called One Health. Guest: Dr. Lonnie King, OSU, Dr. Kathy Smith, ODH, Dr. Leah Dorman, OFBF.
Mandel and Brown will discuss the proper role of government in the lives of Ohioans and respond to questions about job creation, the federal debt, food and farm policy and health care.
Besides the campaigns, the other interesting side of this Election Day is the scrutiny being applied to the system we use to vote here in Ohio. Not only must you decide who to vote for, but when and how to cast your vote. Guest: Jon Husted, Ohio’s Secretary of State.
When it comes to complex environmental issues, Ohio’s got a few. They’re not only environmental issues, but huge economic issues as well. It's the job of the Department of Natural Resources to balance these issues. Guest: Jim Zehringer, Dir. ODNR, Jack Fisher, Exec. VP, OFBF.