Farm Bureau...What's it all about?

Answers to common questions
people have about the Farm Bureau...

Is Ohio Farm Bureau a government agency?
Ohio Farm Bureau Federation is a private, dues-paying membership organization of more than 220,000 members. Farm Bureau works on behalf of members at our nation's Capitol and Ohio's Statehouse, with regulatory agencies, and locally in every Ohio county.

How is Ohio Farm Bureau structured?
Ohio Farm Bureau is a federation of 87 county Farm Bureaus. Each county has its own board of trustees and committees. Statewide, Farm Bureau is governed by a 26-member board of trustees that is elected by delegates from the county organizations.

Is there a national Farm Bureau?
Yes. The American Farm Bureau is composed of 50 state Farm Bureaus and Puerto Rico.

Why was Ohio Farm Bureau founded?
Back in 1919, Ohio farmers needed to organize themselves for the betterment of their businesses. In those early days, Farm Bureau worked on such issues as rural electrification, group purchasing of farm supplies and marketing of farm commodities and insurance.

Rural Ohioans were tired of paying the same rates for auto insurance as their city neighbors. It didn't make sense: Rural people drove their cars less and had fewer claims, so why weren't their insurance rates lower? So, in 1926 the Ohio Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company was formed. In 1955 this company became what we now know as Nationwide Insurance.

Why would someone who isn't a farmer join Farm Bureau?
Several reasons. An important one is supporting and communicating with the people who produce the safe, abundant and affordable food what we all enjoy. To accomplish our vision of “forging a partnership between farmers and consumers,” we need to help both farmers and consumers understand each other better, and being a member of the Farm Bureau is a great first step in making that happen.

But there are also practical reasons, too. Ohio Farm Bureau has many money saving member benefits that all members can enjoy. In addition to special rates with Nationwide Insurance, members can save money on everything from new vehicles to prescription drugs.
Click HERE to see some other benefits our members enjoy.

On what types of issues does Ohio Farm Bureau work?
Farm Bureau works on a variety of issues, such as legislation and regulation concerning - the environment - taxes - trade - livestock - land use - health and safety - wildlife - property rights. In addition to public policy issues, Ohio Farm Bureau has programs to enhance marketing and money saving opportunities for farmers and others; agriculture promotion and education activities, environmental enhancement and water quality programs; and youth and youth farmer leadership development activities.

How does Ohio Farm Bureau decide what position to take on issues?
The organization’s policy begins with a structured policy development process that begins at the local level. Policy positions are determined by active farmer members. Suggestions and policy ideas come directly from members who propose and vote on them at county Farm Bureau annual meetings. Policy ideas work their way up to the state annual meeting where delegate-members vote on proposals. This process continues on nationally as well.

For more information about
Ohio Farm Bureau Federation
programs or membership,
visit the
Ohio Farm Bureau website.