Town Hall Ohio

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 m

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 abou

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 - Tus

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

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 ac

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 bein

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 c

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.