Do you know any homeowner or businessperson who would spend 40 dollars to save 25 cents? Hundreds or thousands of times? That’s the essence of society’s expectations for farmers when it comes to reducing farm nutrient loss in order to clean up Ohio’s waters. The interesting part is, farmers aren’t saying no, they’re learning how. The Blanchard River Farms Demonstration Network is finding environmental and economic solutions. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we do a deep dive into how farmers c...
Nov 11, 2019•48 min
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources was created by the Ohio legislature in 1949. Its mission today: to ensure a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. That balance can, at times, be challenging, when you’re considering ODNR’s vast portfolio of water resources, forests, state parks, energy development and much more. The person Governor DeWine asked to keep everyone happy is Mary Mertz, Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. She...
Oct 28, 2019•48 min
Regular listeners know Town Hall Ohio isn’t only about food and farming. We try to reflect a broad range of subjects that Farm Bureau members find interesting, and hope you do too. We’re lucky - we have about an hour each week to drill down on topics. But imagine trying to explore complex subjects inside a window of about 3 minutes. That’s the goal of Ohio Wesleyan University’s i-Cubed Lectures. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we’ll spend an hour on OWU’s three minute lecture series.
Oct 21, 2019•48 min
The Ohio Department of Agriculture is very familiar to most Ohio farmers, with its role in nearly every facet of Ohio's important food industry. Consumers should be familiar, too, because ODA is at the forefront of assuring food safety. Dorothy Pelanda is Ohio's 39th director of agriculture. She and Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Adam Sharp talk about water quality, food safety, farmer mental health and a variety of other current topics.
Oct 14, 2019•48 min
Mike DeWine is the 70th governor of the state of Ohio. With 11.5 million constituents, he’s the CEO of a state that’s as diverse as they come. From cornbelt flatlands to appalachian foothills, cities to rural crossroads, an electorate often described as purple, and a mix of economic and social opportunities and challenges. Today, he made time to visit with Ohio Farm Bureau’s Adam Sharp and all of you. Governor Mike DeWine, our very special guest, on Town Hall Ohio.
Sep 30, 2019•48 min
Ohio is a big food state. Lots of farmers, processors and manufacturers. And, lots and lots of hungry consumers. A sizable share of Ohio’s very diverse food chain is made up by what’s identified as local foods. What is local? How do folks all along the food chain benefit from it? What do the economics look like? Can it grow? Today, we talk with an Ohio State economist and a local foods advocate and entrepreneur to learn more, on Town Hall Ohio.
Sep 23, 2019•48 min
As far as resumes for public servants go, Rob Portman’s is pretty impressive. A member of the U.S. House, a cabinet level job as U.S. Trade Representative, another cabinet post as Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and in 2010, elected to serve as a United States Senator. Senator Rob Portman joins Farm Bureau’s Adam Sharp to talk about the economy, the environment and many other issues of the day on Town Hall Ohio.
Sep 03, 2019•48 min
One of our greatest privileges, and some would say responsibilities, is to vote. From local to national candidates or measures of local or state interest, a system that’s accessible, convenient, fair and secure helps us all exercise that basic right. The gentlemen who oversees Ohio’s elections is Secretary of State Frank LaRose. He joins Farm Bureau’s Adam Sharp to talk about elections and other responsibilities of his office, as well as one of his big causes, civility in politics, on this episo...
Aug 26, 2019•48 min
In 1902, Ohio State University formed the Department of Animal Husbandry, which later evolved into Animal Sciences. Farmers know the value the department provides to Ohio’s Livestock Industry, helping them efficiently produce animal protein. In reality, all of us are impacted by Animal Sciences, whether our interests are food safety, environmental quality or human health. The chairman of Ohio State’s Department of Animal Sciences, Dr. John Foltz, joins Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President, ...
Aug 19, 2019•48 min
In past episodes of Town Hall Ohio, we’ve talked about some of the inequalities that certain people experience. It might be in health care, workforce training, sources of quality food. Today, we focus on another unfortunate reality. Not everyone has equal access to justice. It’s a problem everywhere, but is some cases more so rural Ohio. Ohio Supreme Court Justice Judith French, Angela Lloyd of the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation and Farm Bureau’s Adam Sharp are in to discuss “access to justice...
Aug 12, 2019•48 min
Ohioans spend a lot of money on health care. At the same time, the data says we’re not getting our money’s worth. What negative factors are affecting our health? How can the system be made more efficient, and effective? Amy Rohling McGee is the president of the Health Policy Institute of Ohio, and she’s in to help us see why Ohio ranks 46th among 50 states on health value, and what do we do about it. Better health at lower cost on Town Hall Ohio.
Jul 22, 2019•48 min
Since its inception as a feed mill in 1963, Kalmbach Feeds has grown into a multimillion dollar business serving customers across the Midwest. Kalmbach Feeds’ trucks are a familiar sight as they traverse up and down the highways in rural Ohio, delivering bulk feed to livestock farms in the region. Kalmbach Feeds pet and livestock food is also sold at retail outlets throughout the state. Learn about the history, the current growth and future plans of one of Ohio’s most successful agribusinesses o...
Jul 15, 2019•48 min
Nearly a quarter-million Ohioans are covered by workers’ comp. The Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation is the largest state-run insurance program in the nation. Ohio workers, families, businesses and communities are all affected by how well and how efficiently the agency does its job. Today, the administrator of BWC, Stephanie McCloud, joins Ohio Farm Bureau’s Dan Rapp to give us a look into the issues around work place health and safety on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
Jul 08, 2019•48 min
No one remembers it ever being like this. Too much rain, falling far too often, has created an unprecedented situation for farmers in Ohio and across much of the nation. There have been years when some of the crop didn’t get planted, but this year, many farmers will plant nothing and those that did get planted may not produce much at harvest. The social media hashtag has become #NoPlant19 and we examine its consequences, today, on Town Hall Ohio.
Jul 01, 2019•48 min
Lawmakers are quickly coming up on their deadline for passing a new two year state budget. Virtually every Ohioan will be affected by the budget’s contents. Taxes, the environment, education and social issues are rolled up in the two year spending plan. Three folks who keep tabs on the budget and other state business are our guests - reporters who are members of the Ohio Legislative Correspondents Association are here to dissect the budget and update other events in the state capital.
Jun 24, 2019•48 min
The numbers are frightening. Every day, 115 Americans die from an overdose of opioids. In 2017, 5,000 of our fellow Ohioans died from the drug. In addition to the fatalities, thousands of others go to hospitals and treatment facilities. Today, we learn about the overall challenges, and in particular, about the prevention campaign called “Don’t live in Denial, Ohio,” which helps parents help their kids stay away from this deadly addiction. Fighting opioids on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
Jun 17, 2019•48 min
How many connections to the online world do you have? Phone, tablet, computer, smart TV, virtual assistant and on and on. All of these are very fun and very helpful… and potentially very dangerous. Hackers pose a risk to individuals, businesses and governments. While we know this, some of us still use the word “password” as our password. What are the risks, from whom, and most importantly, how do we protect ourselves? Cybersecurity expert, Mike Moran has lots of insights and ideas, on this episo...
Jun 10, 2019•48 min
Animals are a part of most everyone’s daily life. We connect with some as companions, others for entertainment and still others for sustenance. Today, we’re going to explore those connections through the eyes of two folks who are part of the community we rely on to provide care to our animals. Dr. Carol McConnell of Nationwide and Dr. Rustin Moore of Ohio State University are members of the veterinary profession, and join us to talk about a wide range of animal issues, on this episode of Town Ha...
Jun 03, 2019•48 min
As growth industries go, there’s nothing hotter in Ohio than craft brewing. Back in 2012, there were 47 Ohio craft brewers. Today, there are 299 with around 60 more in the planning stage. Not to miss out on the fun, late last year, Ohio Farm Bureau and North High Brewing introduced a craft beer to help celebrate Farm Bureau’s 100th Anniversary. A brewer, a blogger and Farm Bureau’s defacto beer guy talk craft brewing, and its close ties to Ohio agriculture, today on Town Hall Ohio.
May 28, 2019•48 min
Senator Sherrod Brown’s official biography lists a number of issues that he’s passionate about - social justice, economic justice, fair trade, veterans, American manufacturing, and American farmers. Today, Ohio’s senior senator serving since 2006, returns to Town Hall Ohio to talk to Ohio Farm Bureau's Executive Vice President Adam Sharp about these issues and others including Lake Erie, the Farm Bill and considering running for the President of the United States.
May 21, 2019•48 min
Every time OSU President Michael Drake or Provost Bruce McPheron are on the show, we squeeze in a little about Buckeye Football and athletics in general. Today, there’s no squeezing. Gene Smith is the director of athletics at the Ohio State University. Today, Farm Bureau’s Adam Sharp and I visit with Mr. Smith, not just about OSU sports, but on what it takes to develop and manage successful enterprises and successful people.
May 13, 2019•48 min
Let me throw out a few familiar business names: J.M. Smucker, Nationwide, AEP, Marathon Petroleum, Procter and Gamble, BF Goodrich. All Ohio companies whose executives have helped lead the Ohio Business Roundtable. Its purpose: to improve the business climate for Ohio. About a year and a half ago, the roundtable brought on another familiar name. 17-year Congressman Pat Tiberi was named President and CEO. Today, on Town Hall Ohio, Mr. Tiberi and Farm Bureau’s Adam Sharp solve all the economic cha...
May 06, 2019•48 min
I’m always looking for new voices to join us on the show. In recent years, I’ve been reading a column that appears in the Columbus Dispatch by a gentleman named Jim Simon. Jim writes about big picture issues and the hot topics of the day. By my reading, his thoughts on what we need to pay attention to, and how we need to act, are worth thinking about. So, today, we’ll hear from communicator, marketer and political commentator Jim Simon, on Town Hall Ohio.
Apr 29, 2019•48 min
Robert Sprague keeps an eye on your piece of Ohio’s twenty billion dollars in investments and 10 billion dollars in debt. About three months ago, he became the 49th Treasurer of the State of Ohio. He’s served in both city government and the statehouse is a native of next door to God's country, and has a picture of his last appearance on Town Hall Ohio on his Facebook page. Findlay native, Treasurer Robert Sprague, is our guest this week on Town Hall Ohio.
Apr 22, 2019•48 min
A banner on the state attorney general’s website reads: “protecting the unprotected”. Dave Yost is Ohio’s Chief Law Officer and the department he runs touches the lives of families, communities, and governments across the state. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, the 51st attorney general of the state of Ohio, Mr. Yost joins Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Adam Sharp to talk about rooting out fraud, holding the corrupt accountable and reforming government.
Apr 15, 2019•48 min
With an economic boom worth $1.4 Billion, horses are a big money maker for Ohio. On the latest Town Hall Ohio meet some of the organizations that have a hand in Ohio’s equine industry as Ty Higgins visits with Renee Mancino from the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association, Dave Basler from the Ohio Horsemen's Benevolent and Protection Association and Karin Brennan from the upcoming Equine Affaire.
Apr 08, 2019•39 min
How do you know if your tax dollars are being well spent? Or if some unscrupulous elected official might have his hand in the cookie jar? Keeping tabs on those kinds of things, and many others, is the job of the Ohio Auditor of State. Just a few months ago, Keith Faber became our state’s 33rd auditor. Today we learn more about the office, and visit about some important issues in state government in general.
Apr 01, 2019•39 min
For 73 years, Ohio Farm Bureau volunteer leaders have traveled to the nation’s capital to speak out on behalf of their fellow farmers. The 2019 version of the county president’s trip to Washington D.C. took more than 100 farmers, Farm Bureau staff and members of the media into the capital. They met with both senators, and most members of Ohio’s congressional delegation. Today we let you in on what was learned. Ohio Farm Bureau in the capital, today, on Town Hall Ohio.
Mar 25, 2019•39 min
On the latest Town Hall Ohio, meet some of the members of Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Ag Professionals. Ty Higgins will introduce you to the best and brightest that Ohio agriculture has to offer.
Mar 04, 2019•48 min
If you ever wanted to see grassroots political action in action, you’d have been impressed by this past week’s Ohio Farm Bureau Ag Day at the Capital. Farmers from all corners of the state battled level two snow emergencies to come to Columbus to meet and inform their state lawmakers and to hear from the new governor of the state of Ohio. Governor Mike DeWine joins us as we look back at Ag Day at the Capital, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.
Feb 25, 2019•39 min
