Ohio Farmers Union

Serving Family Farmers and Consumers Since 1934



United to Grow Family Agriculture Since 1934

Zumbrink gains national recognition for working to keep locals involved in farm program decisions

By Leave a Comment

Jim Zumbrink with Award

Jim Zumbrink, NASCOE Coaltion Partner of the Year

Ohio Farmers Union member Jim Zumbrink was recognized at a recent national convention of Farm Service Agency county employees for his work building coalitions among organizations that advocate maintaining local contributions to federal farm program decision-making.

Zumbrink was named Coalition Partner of the Year by the National Association of FSA County Office Employees at the group’s 2011 convention in Corpus Christi, Texas. The award was for his involvement and work between NASCOE and the National Association of Farmer Elected Committees.

“Jim Zumbrink has always been a great supporter of Ohio FSA employees and the county committee system and on behalf of the Ohio Association of FSA Employees we appreciate his unwaivering committment to make FSA better for our employees and the producers we serve,” said Mark VanHoose, president of the Ohio Association of FSA County Employees.

“Jim not only commits his time but his own resources to travel to NASCOE and NAFEC events because he so strongly beliefs in a farm program delivery system that has grassroots input from the local level and we wanted to recognized his dedication through this award,” VanHoose said.

[Read more…]

Commentary: Budget Austerity – At the Point of Diminishing Return

By Leave a Comment

by Joe Logan, OFU Executive Committeeman

As the global economy teetered at the point of collapse in 2008, governmental leaders in the administrations of both the out-going President Bush and the in-coming President Obama, took the types of actions which virtually all economists advocated. They made massive investments in crucial financial and industrial corporations that were deemed to be crucial to our economic survival.

No good deed goes unpunished.

[Read more…]

Ohio Farmers Union Favors Repeal of S.B. 5

By 2 Comments

Family Farmer & Consumer Group Urges ‘No’ Vote on State Issue 2

The Ohio Farmers Union has come out in support of efforts to repeal S.B. 5 – the unfair attack on Ohio public worker rights – and announced on Tuesday its endorsement of We Are Ohio and a ‘no’ vote on State Issue 2 this fall.

“As we stand in the shadow of Labor Day, there’s no better time for the Ohio Farmers Union to stand up for public servants and the middle class in Ohio,” said Roger Wise, OFU president.

“I would urge every Ohio voter to vote ‘no’ on State Issue 2 in the fall. Senate Bill 5 was an over-reach on the part of the governor and the Ohio General Assembly. Police, Fire Fighters, Teachers, and other public workers are not the source of Ohio’s economic problems,” Wise said.

[Read more…]

Willie Nelson, Chipotle team up with filmmaker to produce stirring message on mega-farms

By Leave a Comment

‘Back to the Start’ a PSA for Food with Integrity

If you’re a fan of Willie Nelson watch this short video. If you’re a fan of great short film-making and animation, watch the video below. But, most importantly, if you believe in a sustainable, healthier system of food and your own local economy watch and share this video.

Nelson covers the Coldplay hit, The Scientist, in this short by animator Johnny Kelly. Wilson’s rendition of Coldplay’s work is haunting and Kelly’s storytelling is tight and moving in only two minutes and 20 seconds. Mexican food quick service restaurant chain Chipotle commissioned the work and posted it on Youtube – where it may be on it’s way to viral status with most of its 28,000-plus views occurring in just the last 36 hours. Chipotle’s tagline is Food with Integrity, which is illustrated in Kelly’s production as meaning factory farming and the associated chemicals, drugs and environmental impact is unhealthy and not good for localized family farm economies.

Pass this video on to friends by sending them this link: https://ohfarmersunion.org/2011/08/willie-nelson-chipotle-team-up-with-filmmaker-to-produce-stirring/

VIDEO: Could programs that help small farmers invest in environmentally friendly practices get the axe?

By Leave a Comment

One week ago I had the opportunity to spend some time at Marshy Meadows Farm in Ashtabula County. Proprietor Mardy Townsend runs a 130-head grass-fed beef program there. Over the past 20 years she and her mother Marge have turned Marshy Meadows from corn and barley production to grassland for the beef herd. Along the way the Environmental Quality Incentives Program from the USDA has helped Mardy lessen the farm’s ecological impact while building a profitable livestock business. This interview deals with the potential danger of Congressional budget cutting taking out programs like EQIP that provide sources of capital for family and beginning farmers to build their businesses responsibly.

VIDEO: Interview with Roger Wise & Linda Borton

By 2 Comments

On July 30 Linda Borton was named interim executive director of the Ohio Farmers Union. Linda has been serving and will continue to serve as interim secretary/treasurer of the OFU Board of Directors.

In the past year Linda has been instrumental in helping OFU – an organization she has been involved with for years – keep its head above water financially as OFU re-establishes itself after a former employee stole operating funds. The video below was taken at the OFU annual Summer Picnic in Clyde, Ohio:

VIDEO: Ohio Farmers Union President Roger Wise Updates Members at Annual Picnic

By Leave a Comment

The Ohio Farmers Union held it’s annual Summer Picnic on July 30 in Clyde, Ohio. OFU President Roger Wise sat down for a few minutes in front of the video camera to update members on the state of OFU. Tomorrow, we’ll have a second video featuring Roger and new OFU Interim Executive Director Linda Borton.

Action Alert: Act Today to Protect Smaller Growers of Leafy Green Vegetables

By Leave a Comment

Big Ag tries to game the system for large (huge) growers in Washington

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently published a proposed rule to establish a national marketing agreement regulating leafy green vegetables. This rulemaking was the result of a request by the largest players in the industry, who asked for regulations based on the statewide agreements established in California and Arizona in the wake of the 2006 E. coli outbreak in California spinach.

If this agreement moves forward, it will provide the largest produce handlers (processors, shippers and packers of leafy green vegetables) the power to establish on-farm practices for all growers of leafy greens, regardless of size.

[Read more…]

Ohio Farmers Union Members Challenged to Help Feed America’s Hungry

By Leave a Comment

Foundation offers $50,000 matching gift to Feeding America for NFU/OFU members

The Howard G. Buffett Foundation is challenging the National Farmers Union (NFU) to take a stand against hunger in America. The Foundation has donated $50,000 to Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief charity, as a challenge grant for NFU members. Every dollar donated by NFU members, up to $50,000, will be matched through the Foundation. The members of the Ohio Farmers Union are participating in this challenge to help feed the hungry people in our communities.

[Read more…]

NATIONAL FARMERS UNION

Click to Take Action



Contact

Ohio Farmers Union
P.O. Box 363
1011 N. Defiance Street
Ottawa, Ohio 45875
Phone: (419) 523-5300
Toll Free: (800) 321-3671