Sustaining Sponsor Spotlight: Ohio Farm Bureau Federation

The Ohio AgriBusiness Association is pleased to feature our Sustaining Sponsors in the 2023 Spotlight Series. This week, the focus is on Gold Sponsor: Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.

Location: Columbus, Ohio

Year started: 1919

Overview: Ohio Farm Bureau helps members achieve their best farm future. Members are provided valuable information, programs and services to strengthen their competitive advantage.

No matter what kind of farming members do, their future is impacted by evolving markets, consumer trends, new technologies and our elected officials through the policies they enact. Farm Bureau advocates for members with lawmakers, in the media and influences ag policy to give members a competitive advantage through access to top-level business solutions.

SHAPING POLICY

Farm Bureau provides members a seat at the table to advance agriculture and create a favorable environment for their farm businesses. One significant issue Ohio Farm Bureau and industry partners like OABA continue to address is water quality. Each year, Ohio Farm Bureau releases its Water Quality Status Report. This year’s report highlights farm-level efforts being made by farmers and features a deep dive into research projects being conducted with the support of the Blanchard River Demonstration Farms Network. Summer is when media reports about the potential for an algal bloom on Lake Erie will increase in frequency. This also means many myths will surface about agriculture’s impact on water quality. To combat misinformation that was being shared by Toledo media outlets, Ohio Farm Bureau recently led the charge and sent a letter to the Toledo Blade on behalf of all of Ohio’s major agriculture organizations, including OABA. Here is a myth busting refresher when it comes to agriculture and water quality.

ADVANCING ON-FARM BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

Farm Bureau helps members find the potential within their operation by learning from experts and discovering new business opportunities. OABA members might be interested in our Health Benefits Plan for businesses with 1 to 50 employees. Here is a video to help you learn more.

LEVERAGING TRENDS

Farm Bureau helps members gather information on trends and issues so they are ready for what’s next. Check out the resources available with our Ag Intelligence Service and our publications.

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH

Farm Bureau helps members collaborate and build relationships to keep them ready for the next innovation or issue. Learn more about our AgriPOWER leadership program and encourage up and coming OABA members to apply.

How has your company changed over the years? Ohio Farm Bureau is connecting members to a suite of business solutions, including insurance and financial services through our Select Partners program, which consists of local providers who know agriculture.  OurWorkers’ Compensation Group Rating Program provides essential solutions for employers. OABA members with up to 50 employees may be interested in the Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan for their workforce. Numerous plan options administered by Anthem provide employees with access to excellent health care at over 310 Ohio hospitals and an assortment of wellness services.

How do you see your company growing in the future? As a grassroots organization that continues to work with Ohio farmers and agribusinesses to advance agriculture and strengthen communities, members make it all possible. Whether you are a farmer, own farmland or work professionally within the agribusiness industry, Farm Bureau has a place for you. With engaged members across Ohio, OABA businesses may want to consider advertising in our multiple media platforms. We also offer a  Group Membership program for employers who want to add Farm Bureau membership as an employee benefit. It’s a great way for agribusiness employees to better understand their farmer customers.

How has OABA helped your business or the agribusiness industry? As we work to lower business taxes or reduce the regulatory burden on our industry, Farm Bureau can always rely on OABA as a strong partner. Whether supporting agriculture’s effort to improve water quality through the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program and H2Ohio or sponsoring the ExploreAg program, which introduces students to careers in agriculture, our strong partnership can help produce problem-solving solutions to move our industry forward.

Interested in becoming a Sustaining Sponsor? 

Click here to learn more about the program or contact Lauren Prettyman at lprettyman@oaba.net. Sustaining sponsors will automatically be promoted as such at all OABA events and will not be approached for sponsorship opportunities throughout the year. 

Note that because the OABA Educational Trust is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, sponsorships related to this trust are separate from OABA.