The Ohio Agricultural Mental Health Alliance, an organization made up of state agencies and agriculture groups focused on mental health in agriculture, has released the results of a survey created to ensure Ohio’s farmers, families, and communities are better equipped to deal with stress. What are the common stressors in Ohio agriculture and how is mental health perceived in rural Ohio? Get some of the results of this survey and find out how it will shape the conversation around farm stress and mental health on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, the Buckeye Shepherd's Symposium is coming up. Get the highlights of this year's event and find out how to register.

Twenty Ohio Farm Bureau leaders are serving on the 2024 Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Policy Development Committee. The committee collects and organizes public policy recommendations from county Farm Bureaus and presents the final policy suggestions to be voted on by Ohio Farm Bureau’s delegates during the state annual meeting in December. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, one of the members of this year's committee, Columbiana County Farm Bureau leader Stacy Irwin talks about the policy development process and some of the topics that were discussed. Plus, time is running out for thousands of farmers who may face steep fines and possible jail time for failing to file their businesses with the federal government as part of new rules through the Corporate Transparency Act. Ohio Farm Bureau’s Associate General Counsel, Leah Curtis has details about the rules and upcoming deadline.

Recently, Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters from The Ohio State University, Wilmington College and Wright State Lake Campus paid a visit to the Ohio Farm Bureau state offices in Columbus to share what their respective groups are doing to carry the important work of Farm Bureau at the college level and to learn how they can continue that work after their school days are over. On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, meet the presidents of each chapter.

With the help of funding from the Rural Broadband Expansion Program, more Ohioans are getting connected with high-speed internet. Thanks to efforts from Ohio State Extension, that progress is happening at a faster rate. Learn about an accelerator program helping communities tap into state funding and tap into more reliable internet. Plus, what goes into a good farm estate plan? Starting early is one key aspect, but there are other factors to keep in mind. Get answers to your estate planning questions from Nationwide on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.

With Election Day just around the corner, there are some big decisions to be made at the polls. The Farm Bureau-AGGPAC Election Guide has been created once again to serve as an introduction to the people hoping to earn our trust and vote to be our leaders at the federal, state and local levels. Find out about the process of putting this Election Guide together on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, how secure are the elections here is Ohio and what is being done to make sure your vote is safe and your voice is heard? We'll hear from Ohio's Secretary of State, Frank LaRose for those answers.

As farmers get into the heart of harvest season, they are starting to make their purchasing plans for the 2025 growing season. An expert from Farm Credit Mid-America has some advice for farmers making those decisions and offers some ways to save some money on next year's inputs on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, there is yet another lawsuit about the health of Lake Erie and targeting farmers about their role in water quality for the Western Lake Erie Basin. Find out more about the case and why Ohio agriculture groups, including Ohio Farm Bureau, are getting involved.

The Ohio Soybean Council invests in research that provides technologies and information that will increase profit opportunities for Ohio farmers. One of those research projects is to help farmers manage Soybean Cyst Nematode, or SCN, which is the leading cause of soybean yield loss in North America. Hear about the latest SCN research and how farmers can get free tests for their fields. Plus, it is a busy time of year for the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association and we will get an update from OHHA on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast.

Time is running out for Congress to pass a modernized farm bill this year. What is the current status of new farm bill work and what are the best and worst case scenarios as the current bill is set to expire? Find out on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, how much money could you save on your utility bills with Ohio Farm Bureau's Energy Savings Program? Learn about the easy process of getting your electric and natural gas bills reviewed to see if there are better options.

They say never mix family and business, but sometimes in agriculture that is easier said than done. Family matters can get messy, especially when a new member joins that family. What are they entitled to, how are those details ironed out and why is the process so important? We cover that with Wright and Moore on this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast. Plus, power needs are increasing and power resources are becoming more diverse. What does that all mean for energy use in rural Ohio and beyond in the near and distant future? The next leader of Ohio Electric Cooperatives weighs in with his thoughts.

On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast Special, we cover many aspects of the drought that the majority of Ohio is dealing with, including the programs and assistance available to farmers being impacted by the extremely dry conditions, what the short and long term weather forecasts look like, tips on preventing field fires during harvest season and why keeping your mental wellness top-of-mind is so important during these historically challenging times.

Guests: Dr. John Patterson, Director of Ohio Farm Service Agency Dr. Aaron Wilson, State Climatologist for Ohio Derek Hommer, Risk Management Consultant and Agronomy Specialist with Nationwide Agribusiness

Brice Acton, Ross County grain farmer