Ohio Farm Bureau recently recognized two members with the inaugural Advocacy in Action Award. Recipients, nominated by their peers, embody the spirit of leadership, initiative and commitment to advancing agriculture in Ohio.

The winners of the 2024 Ohio Farm Bureau Advocacy in Action Award are Roger Baker of Wayne County and Neall Weber (posthumously) of Franklin County.

Baker is described by his colleagues as having a “arms wide open” approach to getting people in the room to talk about issues and advocate for a cause. He is diligent about including stakeholders at the table when advocacy is being discussed.

He has hosted a Supreme Court candidate reception at his farm, hosted the Ag Advisory Council on his farm and is a relentless advocate in his local community.

Weber was a heartfelt advocate for the farm community, was a stalwart in upholding the rights of farmers and excelled at sharing the story of agriculture with those in his metropolitan county.

He gave generously of his time, speaking to Rotary clubs and other professional associations, hosting Girl Scout troops and 4-H Clubs for tours of his farm, and welcoming members of the media to visit his operation.

The Advocacy in Action awards were presented at the 106th Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in December.

Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen communities. Learn more at ohiofarmbureau.org.

WEBER FAMILY: The Weber family and friends are pictured with Ohio Farm Bureau President Bill Patterson and Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Adam Sharp. Pictured (from left) are Katherine Harrison, Jane Weber and Tina Williams. (Courtesy of OFB)

Students explore careers in equipment technology

With the goal of raising awareness about in-demand and high-tech career opportunities within the equipment industry, more than 500 students from across Ohio gathered recently to explore careers in the equipment industry during the Ag Equipment Dealers Foundation Industry Pathways: Career Experience event in Circleville, Ohio.

Held at the Pickaway Agriculture and Event Center, the daylong program introduced high school students to hands-on opportunities in diesel engine repair, equipment operation and workforce readiness, including mock job interviews.

Organized by the Youth Workforce Development Foundation in partnership with AEDF and SkillsUSA Ohio, the event brought together students from 16 area schools and career centers to engage with industry employers.

This initiative is part of the Apprenticeships Build America program, funded by nearly $8 million in federal grants aimed at addressing the national workforce shortage in the machinery sector.

The event provided students with free access to interactive hands-on experiences, including:

Participants also enjoyed giveaways and prizes while gaining valuable insights into careers that do not require a four-year college degree.

Bob Evans donates $115K to support OFB Foundation

In a display of continued commitment to cultivating the future of agriculture, Bob Evans Farms recently donated $115,000 to the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation. It underscores a more than 10-year partnership and reinforces the company’s impact within the state, and specifically the future of Ohio’s agriculture industry.

Bob Evans Farms has been a supporter of OFB’s ExploreAg program since it began in 2018. The program offers young minds a peek into the vibrant world of agriculture through exclusive tours at its production facilities in Xenia and Lima.

As an ag literacy and workforce development program, ExploreAg offers free weeklong, multiday and daylong immersion programs for high school students. Teens learn about agriculture and related STEM fields from industry experts, scientists and educators.

Participants visit locations like Bob Evans Farms and Kroger, manufacturers such as John Deere and Certified Angus Beef, and college research laboratories at Ohio State, Wilmington and Findlay.

To learn more about how to support ExploreAg, visit ofbf.org/foundation.

LANG FAMILY FARM: The Lang family farm in Licking County becomes the 14th Ohio farm to join the Ohio Farmland Preservation Program this year. (Courtesy of ODA)

More Ohio farmland preserved

Seventy acres have been added to the Ohio Farmland Preservation Program. The Lang family farm in Licking County becomes the 14th Ohio farm to join the program this year.

An agricultural easement in Farmland Preservation is a voluntary agreement between the landowner and the Ohio Department of Agriculture, where the landowner agrees to perpetually maintain the land predominately in agricultural use. In exchange, the landowner is either compensated or may be entitled to a tax deduction.

In partnership with ODA, local sponsor Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District played a significant role in securing this agreement.

Since the Office of Farmland Preservation began in 1998, 723 farms totaling 107,263 acres have entered into agreements. This enables Ohio to continually be a top producer, aiding not only Ohioans, but also all Americans.

Funds from the purchase of these easements are invested in the local economy by the landowners who use them to expand their farming operations, purchase new equipment, reduce debt, add conservation practices, plan for retirement, send their children to college or for other purposes.

When the state purchases a farmland easement, the proceeds are plowed into Ohio’s economy, and the agriculture industry is preserved for future generations.