Town Hall Ohio

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. Tha

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 Foun

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 C

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

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 a

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

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 Cra

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 Bee

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.