Town Hall Ohio

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.

Signing a will is an important step in any estate plan, but it's only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to succession. Elizabeth Fisher of Wright & 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 farm transition can be heavy. It's an honor to carry on the family tradition, but it's also a major responsibility to take over the business. Ryan Conklin of Wright & Moore walks us through some key principles to help guide the post-succession process

The Importance of Policy Development and a Winter Energy Outlook by Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast

The Cost of Thanksgiving and New Health Plans 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.