Town Hall Ohio

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 Add to that the stresses of an outdated farm bill, trade disputes and the questionable outlook for estate tax laws and the uncertainties abound for farmers.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.