For generations it has been ingrained in our society that after you graduate high school, the next logical step is to continue your education at the college level. Although there is value in getting a degree in a specialty of your choice, many students are finding a different path to a successful career by foregoing 2 or 4 year universities and diving right into a career. Realizing the growth of that thought process, while the workforce is shrinking, Sunrise Cooperative created the RISE FFA Career Program, and from that, Sunrise University. On this Our Ohio Weekly, meet the CEO of Sunrise and two of his newest employees who decided to fill out a job application instead of a college application. 00:00 - George Secor, President and CEO of Sunrise, Jacob Walters, 2021 RISE FFA Career Recipient and Sunrise University participant Shaun Hall talk about the new career oriented programs they are involved in. 23:50 - The man behind The Ohio State Fair has strong agricultural roots here in the Buckeye State. Virgil Strickler shares his story "To the Beat of Agriculture". 32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau's policy counsel, Leah Curtis, talks about the issue of stray voltage and how one Ohio dairy was impacted. 42:20 - If you produce, process or partake in red meat, you can take part in the ACEnet meat processing survey. Ohio Farm Bureau member Paul Dorrance has the details.

Our Ohio Weekly

Starting Ag Careers After High School

The saying “necessity is the mother of innovation” has rarely been more true for modern society than it was during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. That is particularly true for the farm and food sector. Farmers found new ways to market their products, manufacturers changed how food was packaged and delivered and more made-at-home recipes were Googled by the American public than ever before. There is one Ohio organization that specializes in helping those that grow and process our food more successfully and, needless to say, they have been very busy over the past 18 months. Learn more about the Center for Innovative Food Technology, or CIFT, on this Our Ohio Weekly. 00:00 - Rebecca Singer, CIFT's President and CEO and Elizabeth Murawski, Business and Workforce Development Manager for CIFT talk about how their organization encourages economic development by providing technical innovations and solutions for the food processing and agricultural industries. 23:50 - Meet Young Ag Professionals Jonathan and Alyssa Zucker, "To the Beat of Agriculture" and find out how they understand that in order to accomplish something in the future, you have to have respect for the past. 32:20 - CIFT's Rebecca Singer and Elizabeth Murawski talk about ways they are helping their clients combat new cybersecurity threats. 42:20 - American Farm Bureau's Ag Innovation Challenge is underway. AFBF's Executive Director of Industry Relations, Sarah Brown, shares the details.

Innovations in the Farm and Food Sectors

In light of climate-induced risks and uncertainties like increasing extreme rainfall events and warmer temperatures, a team made up of research, extension, and outreach professionals at Ohio State are working together to identify how to promote sustainability and resilience in the Eastern Corn Belt. They are also trying to understand how farmers’ can adapt to these changing conditions while supporting both agricultural production and the protection of our critical ecosystem. Learn more about the study on this Our Ohio Weekly. 00:00 - Dr. Robyn Wilson, Professor of Risk Analysis and Decision Science at Ohio State’s School of Environment and Natural Resources, Dr. Aaron Wilson, Research Scientist at Ohio State’s Byrd Polar & Climate Research Center and Dr. Mary Doidge, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics at McGill University in Montreal discuss their project that focuses on the past and expected future climate conditions, and how farmers plan to adapt. 23:50 - After a series of life changing events while serving as a U.S. soldier, Matt Schaar took his determination and fortitude from the battlefield to the farm fields. Hear his story "To the Beat of Agriculture". 32:20 - Ohio has a new budget for Fiscal Years 2022-2023. The $74 billion budget checks many of Ohio Farm Bureau's priority issue boxes. To talk more about the wins for Farm Bureau and Ohio Agriculture as a whole in Ohio's budget is Brandon Kern, Ohio Farm Bureau's senior director of state and national policy and Jenna Reese, the organization’s director of state policy. 42:20 - American Farm Bureau just released their Summer Cookout Survey to get a gauge on popular Independence Day food prices. AFBF Economist Veronica Nigh has the details.

Ohio State Studies the Climate and Agriculture

In 2015, The state of Ohio committed to reducing nutrient loading into Lake Erie by 40 percent by 2025. This commitment was made as part of the Western Lake Erie Collaborative agreement, which includes similar pledges from Michigan and Ontario, Canada. How do things stand halfway through this 10-year agreement? Is there any progress being made and is that 40 percent reduction goal attainable? On this Our Ohio Weekly, find out what the latest data suggests. 00:00 - Dr. Larry Antosch, senior director of policy development and environmental policy with Ohio Farm Bureau and Jordan Hoewischer, Ohio Farm Bureau's director of water quality and research discuss how Ohio and the state’s farmers are doing on holding up their end of the Western Lake Erie Collaborative agreement? 23:50 - "To the Beat of Agriculture", meet the 2021 Golden Owl Award winner, Don Hammersmith. 32:20 - U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown talks about how trade policy might change under the Biden Administration and what he is hearing from farm families about new tax proposals coming out of Washington. 42:20 - Find out about American Farm Bureau's "Farm Dog of the Year" contest from AFBF's vice president of communications, Terri Moore.

Western Lake Erie Collaborative Agreement

Technology for solar energy has come a long way over the past 10 years and, as a result, solar development projects are increasing across Ohio at a rapid rate. But with this recent boon in solar comes questions and concerns for farmers and landowners. What should you be aware of when signing a lease, what role does the government play, how will new solar projects impact land use, real estate values and nearby communities. Ironically energy that uses light is becoming a heavy topic in Ohio and we will cover it all on this Our Ohio Weekly. 00:00 - Dale Arnold, director of energy policy with Ohio Farm Bureau and OFBF's senior director of state and national policy, Brandon Kern, talk about the development of solar energy projects across the state and how the process of starting a project may be changing. 23:50 - Meet the newly elected Ohio Farm Bureau state trustee, Danielle Burch, "To the Beat of Agriculture". 32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau's director of water quality and research, Jordan Hoewischer, talks about the Ohio Nutrient Management Record Keeper or ONMRK app and how it is helping farmers with nutrient applications. 42:20 - Belmont County Farm Bureau will be filling backpacks for local kids in need again this month. Board member Devin Cain has all of the details and how volunteers can get involved.

Solar in Ohio

While many have already started the vaccination process, there is currently a general lack of confidence. Overall, 40% of the U.S. public have expressed concerns, ranging from “skeptical” to “open but uncertain,” about getting vaccinated. The Ad Council and COVID Collaborative are leading a massive communications effort to educate the American public and build confidence around the COVID-19 vaccines. Find out more about those efforts on this Our Ohio Weekly. 00:00 - The JBS cyber attack puts even more emphasis on more regional capacity needs. Ohio Farm Bureau's Brandon Kern talks about what is being done in Ohio in that front. 05:58 - The Ad Council's Hannah Lipps and Charysse Nunez talk about the COVID-19 Vaccine Education Initiative, giving Americans all of the information they need before making the decision to get vaccinated. 23:50 - Meet the newly elected President of Ohio FFA, Jacob Zajkowski, "To the Beat of Agriculture". 32:20 - Dr. Christina Canfield M.D., a family medicine physician from Wakefield, talks about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine. 42:20 - Dennis Bell from the Columbus office of IRS gives the details about the upcoming IRS’ Rural Growth Symposium.

Vaccine Outreach Efforts in Rural Ohio

While farmers are always open to new climate-smart practices and technology to reduce emissions levels, they could play an even larger role in the future to help achieve climate goals by adopting voluntary practices to offset Greenhouse Gas emissions, such as trapping carbon in the soil through increased conservation cover and reduced tillage. On this Our Ohio Weekly learn about the developing carbon markets for farmers. The questions, the challenges and the opportunities. 00:00 - American Farm Bureau's director of congressional relations, Andrew Walmsley and AFBF Shelby Swain Myers discuss the emerging markets for sustainability and carbon credits. 23:50 - "To the Beat of Agriculture", meet the new President of the American Sheep Industry and Ohio sheep farmer, Susan Schulz. 32:20 - American Farm Bureau's director of congressional relations, Andrew Walmsley and AFBF Shelby Swain Myers talk about the revenue potential in the carbon market. 42:20 - The application deadline for Ohio Farm Bureau's Young Ag Professional's Outstanding Young Farmer and Excellence in Ag awards is quickly approaching on June 11. OFBF's Kelsey Turner talks about the qualifications to apply and the prizes offered to this year's winners.

Sustainability and Carbon Markets

In 2019, Ohio farmers experienced shocks that tested the limits of Ohio agriculture. Heavy rains affected planting and harvesting times, economic turbulence contributed to lower commodity prices, and nonfarm economic growth pushed farmland costs up. To learn how farmers were impacted, researchers in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University created the Ohio Farm Poll. On this Our Ohio Weekly, find out about the newly released results. 00:00 - Ohio State University's College of Food Agriculture and Environmental Sciences' School of Environment and Natural Resources' Dr. Douglas Jackson Smith, Dr. Shoshanah Inwood and Dr. Andrea Rissing talk about The Ohio Farm Poll, what the results told us and future plans for the poll. 23:50 - When you think of bison, what comes to mind? Rolling pastures, tumbleweeds and a sandy desert? You probably don't think about Ohio. On this "To the Beat of Agriculture", meet a bison farmers from Grove City. 32:20 - Ohio farmers were the target of a new poll regarding animal agriculture. Ohio Farm Bureau senior director of state and national policy, Brandon Kern, has the myths and the facts about the poll results.

The Ohio Farm Poll

If you’ve watched a few shows on Comedy Central or NBC’s Last Comic Standing or have purchased peanut butter in bulk you have more than likely run into this week’s guest. Comedian Greg Warren joins us to talk about his new Amazon Prime special “Where The Field Corn Grows”. Warren is smart enough to understand what he doesn't know, and it's in his common-sense attempt to understand basic agriculture and the farm life that he harvests the ridiculous and absurd. 00:00 - Comedian Greg Warren talks about his Amazon Prime special "Where the Field Corn Grows". 16:50 - Ray Atkinson, American Farm Bureau's Director of Communication, gives details on the new Farm State of Mind resource directory for those struggling with farm stress and mental health. 23:50 - "To the Beat of Agriculture", meet the 2021 Ohio Pork Council Pork Industry Excellence Award winner, Duane Stateler, and here about his farm that is several generations strong. 32:20 - Hocking County Farm Bureau’s Ivory Harlow shares info about Hocking County Ag Days. 42:20 - Blanchard River Demonstration Farms Network project manager Aaron Heilers talks about what is planned for the farms for 2021.

"Where the Field Corn Grows" comedian Greg Warren

After beginning to recognize certain, disruptive trends emerging in the farming sector, Columbus-based Aimpoint Research launched a study giving them and the ag clients they serve an extensive look into the future of agriculture. This landmark research revealed the psychology of the farmers who are most likely to lead the industry in 2040 and both the internal and external factors impacting their success. This week on Our Ohio Weekly, learn more about the Farmer of the Future and how the evolution of agriculture might be shaping up. 00:00 - Brett Sciotto, President and CEO of Aimpoint Research and Ohio Farm Bureau's Executive Vice President Adam Sharp talk about Aimpoint's Farmer of the Future research. 23:50 - Meet Farm Girl with Curls blogger, Lauren Eyre, "To the Beat of Agriculture". She is now a member of the Aimpoint Research Agri-Food WatchDesk Team. 32:20 - Gregg Doud, Aimpoint Research VP of Global Situational Awareness and Chief Economist, gives a short and long term outlook for the farm economy.

The Farmer of the Future

The Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association represents nearly 2,000 farmers and advocates to protect its members' freedom to farm and supports public policy on members’ behalf. The Ohio Corn Checkoff and the Ohio Small Grains Checkoff, also part of Ohio Corn and Wheat, are voluntary programs approved by Ohio farmers that collect funds from the sale of corn and small grains to develop and expand markets, fund research and provide education about the crops. On this Our Ohio Weekly, meet the executive director of Ohio Corn and Wheat and the association’s president as we talk about corn, ethanol, climate, the environment and more. 00:00 - Learn about Ohio Corn and Wheat and some of the things happening on the farm today. 16:50 - Find out how corn farmers and ethanol can be a big part of the climate conversation and other issues OCWGA have their eye on. 23:50 - "To the Beat of Agriculture", meet John Linder. He farms in Morrow County and is currently the President of the National Corn Growers Association. 32:20 - The movie SILO is being released on May 7th to audiences across North America and will be available on most traditional moviegoing platforms - as well as in movie theatres. The movie's Producer, Sam Goldberg, gives details about the film. 42:20 - The Licking County Farm Bureau is hosting a Farmers Share Breakfast on May 1. Organization Director Kayla Jones shares all of the info.

Ohio Corn and Wheat

Spanning over 10,000 acres on three campuses, Ohio State’s College of Food Agricultural and Environmental Sciences boasts an impressive area of learning. But more than acres, they also cover a lot of ground with their offerings for young people wanting careers in agriculture, including 22 bachelor’s degree majors, 26 associate degree majors and 32 minors. On this week’s Our Ohio Weekly, we’ll visit with the Dean in charge of everything happening at OSU’s CFAES, Dr. Cathann Kress. 00:00 - Dean Kress talks about the challenges her faculty and staff faced and how they navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic to continue operations and education. 16:50 - Innovation and research also continued at CFAES. Dean Kress shares some of the new happenings on Waterman Farm. 23:50 - "To the Beat of Agriculture", hear the story of Groveport, Ohio farmer, Katherine Harrison, and her farm that is home to a growing goat yoga operation (among other things). But more than that, Harrison Farm is about planting seeds of perseverance that will sprout when the time comes. 32:20 - Ohio State University Extension is obviously such as important part of Ohio agriculture. Dean Kress talks about how that state-wide outreach been modified to fit the times. 42:20 - Why is unemployment fraud happening in Ohio and what do you do if you are a victim? Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel, Leah Curtis, discusses the issue and how to protect yourself from unemployment fraud.

Dean Cathann Kress - An OSU CFAES Update

Ohio Farm Bureau has new leadership. Former president Frank Burkett left the OFBF board and was elected to the Nationwide board of directors shortly thereafter. Ohio Farm Bureau founded the Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company in 1926, which later became Nationwide. Burkett’s selection to the Nationwide board demonstrates the company’s continued deep connections to the ag industry. On this Our Ohio Weekly, meet newly elected president, Bill Patterson, and learn about his vision and goals in his new Ohio Farm Bureau role. 00:00 - New Ohio Farm Bureau president Bill Patterson talks about the challenges and goals his organization has in 2021 and beyond. 16:50 - Jack Irvin, vice president of public policy with Ohio Farm Bureau shares how proposed legislation in Congress would tax capital gains at death and eliminate stepped-up basis as a way to raise revenue for government spending, causing Farm Bureau to issue an Action Alert to our members. 23:50 - "To the Beat of Agriculture", visit one Perry County farm run by a duo that's not afraid of taking on a challenge. Dr. Tom and Suzie Turner's 215 acre shorthorn operation was built on a reclaimed silica mine. 32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau’s director of state policy, Jenna Reese, gives an update on rural broadband efforts to connect all Ohioans. 42:20 - Shana Angel, Mineral City Watershed Program Assistant for Rural Action shares how an Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation grant led the way for a new program that helps farmers prevent nutrient and sediment loss.

Meet new Ohio Farm Bureau president Bill Patterson

The way we consume media is changing. You could be listening to music or shows in your car or tooling around in your shop or garage as it airs on your local radio station or you might be listening to the podcast version on your mobile device or even a smart speaker. This goes for just about any program being produced these days for any segment of our society...including agriculture. On this Our Ohio Weekly, Ty Higgins visits with ag media mogul, Rob Sharkey, who is changing the way farmers and those involved in agriculture get their entertainment and information. 00:00 - Rob Sharkey, The Shark Farmer, talks about why he started his podcast and how it has boomed into shows on SiriusXM radio and RFD-TV. 23:50 - In honor of Women's History Month, meet Central State ag instructor Dr. Cindy Folck "To the Beat of Agriculture". 32:20 - The deadline to sign up for the 2021 ExploreAg Camps is April 2nd. Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation's executive director Kelly Burns has all of the details. 42:20 - USDA/NASS will be starting up their weekly crop progress reports as farmers get back into the fields. Ohio's state statistician Cheryl Turner discusses what goes into putting those reports (and the many others NASS releases) together.

Rob Sharkey - The Shark Farmer

According to the National Safety Council, 1 in 4 car crashes are due to mobile phone usage while driving, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 4.2% of drivers are distracted at any given time between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Add to that that studies show that 41% of car trips between those hours in 2019, involved significant cell phone distractions. The Hands-Free Ohio bill, which revises Ohio’s law relative to distracted driving, will soon be introduced in the Ohio House. On this Our Ohio Weekly, learn more about the issue and what lawmakers are hoping to do about it. 00:00 - Chad Wilson, Associate Vice President, Office of Government Relations with Nationwide talks about Hands-Free Ohio and why the initiative is so important. 16:50 - Brandon Kern, senior director of state and national policy with Ohio Farm Bureau talks about Stepped-Up Basis, how it would work in President Biden's tax plan and what farm families should be aware of. 23:50 - You might know Ohio farmer Cory Atley from his role on the ag reality show Corn Warriors. Learn more about him "To the Beat of Agriculture". 32:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau’s Director of Livestock Policy, Roger High, played a key part to putting county fair guidance together for 2021 and he shares what those guidelines mean for county fairs this year. 42:20 - Ohio Farm Bureau member benefits continue to save members a lot of money. John Marihugh, OFBF senior director of partnerships and member services, gives the 2020 stats and talks about some new member benefits for 2021.

Hands-Free Ohio and Stepped-Up Basis

Our Ohio Weekly shares the story of Ohio agriculture and Ohio Farm Bureau. Each week, this radio program and podcast features guests who represent leaders in agriculture, government, academia and the food industry, among others. Host Ty Higgins talks to interesting guests and brings the story of Ohio agriculture to life by featuring Farm Bureau members and staff who are working hard all across Ohio.

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Our Ohio Weekly

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