Buckeye Briefs

The Ohio Agricultural Council (OAC) is set to honor the 2026 awardees who have made lasting contributions to Ohio’s agricultural industry. This year’s inductees, John Grimes of Hillsboro, Nancy Patterson of Chesterland, Lawrence H. “L.H.” Newcomb of Hilliard and Sparky Weilnau of Milan, represent a diverse cross-section of Ohio agriculture, from education and youth development to production, agribusiness and public service.

“Each of these individuals has helped shape Ohio agriculture in ways that reach far beyond their own work,” said Mike Bailey, president of the Ohio Agricultural Council and senior vice president of operations and partnerships at Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. “Their impact can be seen in the people they’ve mentored, the programs they’ve built and the example they’ve set for others to follow.”

 The ceremony, celebrating its 60th year, will be held Friday, August 7, 2026, and is expected to draw more than 600 attendees, including community leaders, industry professionals and family members.… Continue reading

The Ohio Chapter of Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) participated in the first Northeast Ohio Regional Resilience convening in Cleveland’s MidTown Neighborhood on April 9 and 10.  The event brought together leaders from 50 organizations and enterprises that support farms and value-added producers throughout the region.  The goal was to build new relationships, identify convergent needs and opportunities to share resources, and collectively identify next steps.

Attendees were selected through a competitive application process and represented all aspects of Northeast Ohio’s farm and food sector. Participants hailed from across the region’s rural, urban, and suburban communities and represented education, funding, advocacy, policy, research, communication, farming, aggregation, distribution, processing, marketing, and retail operations.

The event was co-organized by Ohio State’s Northeast Ohio Ag Innovation Center, Forest City Food Collective(formerly Oberlin Food Hub), and The Fare Project and was supported by USDA Rural Development funds.  Kim Hines from the North American Food Systems Network helped to facilitate the activities.  … Continue reading

More Ohio farmland will remain Ohio farmland. The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) announced that in the first three months of 2026, more than 907 acres across the state have been permanently preserved for agricultural use through the state’s Farmland Preservation Program.

Agricultural land is a key part of Ohio’s landscape and economy. Through the Farmland Preservation Program, landowners voluntarily place an agricultural easement on their property, ensuring the land will remain in agricultural use permanently. In return, landowners may receive compensation or qualify for certain tax benefits.

“Each year we’re excited to see more farmland in Ohio placed in the Farmland Preservation Program,” said Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge. “Agriculture remains one of Ohio’s top industries and preserving land for future generations of farmers helps strengthen the state’s agricultural heritage.”

In 2026, the farms below have been added to the Farmland Preservation Program:

• Cenky Farm in Miami County
  • Owner(s): Bryan and Constance Cenky
  • Rounded acreage: 66 acres
  • Local Sponsor: Elizabeth Township Trustees
• Geer Farm in Highland County
  • Owner(s): Donald and Cheryl Geer
  • Rounded acreage: 220 acres
  • Local Sponsor: Cardinal Land Conservancy
• Hartman Farm in Madison and Greene Counties
  • Owner(s): Sunny Lane Farms, LLC
  • Rounded acreage: 51 acres
  • Local Sponsor: Madison County Commissioners
• Lanum Farm in Delaware County
  • Owner(s): STB3, LLC
  • Rounded acreage: 53 acres
  • Local Sponsor: Delaware County Commissioners
• Parker Farm in Clinton County
  • Owner(s): JP Family Farms, LLC
  • Rounded acreage: 110 acres
  • Local Sponsor: Clinton Soil and Water Conservation District
• Pohlman Farm in Darke County
  • Owner(s): Walnut Garden Grove, LLC
  • Rounded acreage: 51 acres
  • Local Sponsor: Darke Soil & Water Conservation District
• *Schlumbohm Farm
  • Owner(s): Steve Schlumbohm
  • Local sponsor: The county land trust in partnership with United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS)
• Stingley Farm in Clinton County
  • Owner(s): OJS Ag, LLC
  • Rounded acreage: 73 acres
  • Local Sponsor: Clinton Soil and Water Conservation District
• Stratford Farm in Delaware County
  • Owner(s): Stratford Ecological Center, Inc.

By Ty Higgins and Brianna Smith

As farmers prepare for another growing season filled with tight margins and rising input costs, a welcome financial boost is arriving across rural communities. Farm Credit Mid-America is returning a record $280 million in net earnings to eligible customer-owners through its 2026 patronage program.

The annual distribution reflects the cooperative’s continued financial strength and its commitment to sharing success with the farmers and agribusinesses it serves. During the past decade, Farm Credit Mid-America has returned more than $1.75 billion to customer-owners, reinforcing the long-term value of its cooperative model.

Unlike traditional lenders, Farm Credit Mid-America is a farmer-owned cooperative. That means customers are also owners, and when the organization performs well, a portion of those earnings is returned to them based on their level of business.

This year’s patronage comes at a critical time. Producers across the region are navigating ongoing volatility, and the additional funds offer flexibility as they make key financial decisions heading into planting season.… Continue reading

Ohio’s pig farmers are once again stepping up to support families across northeast Ohio, donating $5,000 to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank (GCFB) to provide nutritious pork to individuals facing food insecurity. This contribution reflects the Ohio Pork Council’s ongoing commitment to strengthening communities by expanding access to high-quality protein.

“We know that there’s a real need in communities across the state,” said Nathan Schroeder, president of the Ohio Pork Council (OPC) and farmer from Leipsic, Ohio. “This long-standing partnership is one way Ohio pig farmers can step up for our neighbors and help make a difference for families who need it most.”

In 2025, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank provided food for more than 404,000 individuals across its six-county area where one in six people face food insecurity.

“We’re grateful to the Ohio Pork Council to provide this much needed protein that will help meet the needs of so many families, seniors and children in the Greater Cleveland community,” said Karen Pozna, Director of Communications & Events for the GCFB.… Continue reading

By Aaron Wilson, Ohio State Extension

Climate Summary

With 4 to 8 inches of precipitation across northern Ohio over the last 30 days (March 13 – April 12), drought conditions have eased across northwest Ohio. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows that just 2% of the state remains in drought (D1-moderate drought or worse), down from about 17% three months ago and 74% at the beginning of October 2025 (Figure 1). The driest conditions remain across portions of Defiance, Henry, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, and Wood Counties, where signs of hydrologic drought remain (low reservoirs, farm ponds). Although the surface was very wet after the rain a couple of weeks ago, the past seven days have been fairly dry across Ohio (less than 0.25 inches for most locations). Combined with very warm temperatures for April (4-10°F above normal) and windy conditions, the surface has dried out significantly this week, with soil moisture and stream flows falling across the state.… Continue reading

By Brianna Smith

What started in 1925 with R.F. Cook’s passion for lumber and buildings has grown into a fourth-generation family business celebrating 100 years of service in Attica.

Founded in the years following World War I, Attica Lumber has remained rooted in the same principles through generations of ownership and leadership. In 1954, after returning home from World War II, Fritz and Marjorie Miller, Cook’s daughter and son-in-law, continued the family business. In 1976, Marjorie retired and Steve Stanek, her son-in-law, guided the company through the challenging years of high inflation.

In 2008, Steve’s son, Josh Stanek, joined the business during another difficult economic period and has helped continue its growth. Today, Josh works alongside his father as the fourth generation to carry the family legacy forward.

“We’ve been blessed with a lot of smart people around us who know the lumber business,” Josh Stanek said.… Continue reading

Cooper Farms and Weaver Eggs each donated 108,000 eggs to Greater Cleveland Food Bank as part of the Great American Egg Drive, a nationwide effort bringing egg farmers together to support communities ahead of Easter and Passover — and one of the largest egg donation efforts ever.

The donation will provide fresh, nutritious, high-quality protein to individuals and families across the northeast Ohio region. Eggs will be distributed through Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s network of partner agencies across six counties: Cuyahoga, Ashland, Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, and Richland.

“We take pride not only in producing food, but also in giving back,” said Alex Weaver, president, Weaver Eggs. “Being part of an effort that brings egg farmers together to support communities across the country means a great deal to us.”

The American Egg Board, on behalf of America’s egg farmers, is leading the Great American Egg Drive — bringing farmers together to give back in communities nationwide during a time of year when eggs play an important role in meals and traditions.… Continue reading

Ohio Corn & Wheat strengthens its connection with farmers and industry partners with the addition of Avery Caudill as Communications Specialist.

Caudill has a strong background in social media strategy, content creation, and audience engagement. A graduate of the Ohio State University, she has overseen social media and email marketing campaigns for an Airbnb company and several clients through a digital marketing agency. Her background also includes working as a comedy beat writer for The Lantern, as well as journalism and blog contributions across multiple platforms.

Her ability to analyze digital trends and produce high-impact content made her a natural fit for Ohio Corn & Wheat as it works to expand its reach and deepen engagement with farmers across the state.

“Avery’s experience analyzing social media algorithms and developing content that connects with our farmer members and industry partners takes our communication strategy to the next level,” said Tadd Nicholson, Executive Director of Ohio Corn & Wheat.… Continue reading

The 2026 Ohio Beef Expo, hosted by the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA), was held March 19 – 22 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio. At this year’s event, Ferguson Cattle Company – John Ferguson, Sullivan Supply and Weaver Livestock were awarded the Friend of the Expo Awards for their dedication and contributions to the Ohio Beef Expo’s success.

The Ohio Beef Expo is Ohio’s largest beef cattle event managed by the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA), a non-profit membership organization, representing the business interests important to farm families raising cattle. All three of these award recipients have been a consistent part of the Expo and made many positive contributions to the event. Learn more about each of the recipients below.

Ferguson Cattle Company – John Ferguson

Ferguson Cattle Company maintains approximately 400 head of Simmental and Angus cattle at their farm in Jefferson, Ohio. Much of the operation’s marketing centers on its annual Rare Vintage Production Sale, where the goal is to market around 50 head of bred heifers along with a select group of open heifers.… Continue reading

Ohio Farm Bureau’s signature ag literacy and workforce development program, ExploreAg, is now accepting registration for its free 2026 camps, featuring an expanded lineup of one-day experiences and a weeklong immersive camp for high school students.

With continued interest and demand, the program has been realigned to offer more one-day camps across Ohio, allowing students to explore a wider range of agricultural sectors by region and career focus. One weeklong camp also will be offered at Ohio State University ATI in Wooster, Ohio.

ExploreAg introduces students to agriculture and related STEM fields through hands-on learning and direct engagement with industry experts, scientists and educators. Participants visit locations like Farm Credit Mid-America and Heritage Cooperative, manufacturers like Bob Evans and Cargill, and college learning laboratories at Ohio State, Bowling Green State University and the University of Findlay.

Through both one-day and weeklong formats, students explore areas such as food science, precision agriculture, animal science, natural resources, technology and agricultural business practices.… Continue reading

Derek Snider of Hardin County has been appointed to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee for the 2026-2028 term beginning in March. 

Snider is a fifth-generation farmer and owner/operator of DuLynn Farms, LLC, with his parents in Hardin County, and serves as a senior account officer at AgCredit in the Kenton, Ohio, branch.

Currently serving as Hardin County Farm Bureau president, Snider has been very involved in the organization for over 10 years. He also served on the Ohio Farm Bureau Young Ag Professionals State Committee, including as chair in 2024.

“As a part-time farmer and full-time agricultural professional, I know how important it is to continue to grow on a personal and professional level, and I look forward to working with peers across the country to develop new skills and interests within our ever-changing industry,” Snider said. “Agriculture is so vital to the success of our country, and with this new opportunity I also look forward to playing a role in inspiring the next group of leaders who will carry on the torch of feeding, fueling and clothing our world.”… Continue reading

The Ohio Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Program is proud to announce Aaron Clark as the recipient of the 2026 CCA of the Year award. Clark serves as an Agronomy Solutions Advisor for Sunrise Cooperative, demonstrating his commitment to supporting his producers with the tools and technologies to attain and exceed the success they desire for their operations.

“Aaron’s dedication to constantly update his practices and approaches to match the evolution of the industry has provided a strong partnership with his clients in support of their goals,” said Jason Hartschuh, chairman of the Ohio CCA board. “His balance of tried and-true practices with new practices and products has helped to keep his clients on the cutting edge of management strategies.”

“Aaron approaches every situation with a willingness to learn and understand,” said a representative from one of his farmer clients who nominated Clark for the award. “He is always prepared to offer his advice and recommendations.… Continue reading

A proposed merger between Mercer Landmark, Centerra Cooperative, and Sunrise Cooperative will not move forward after members at two of the three cooperatives voted against the proposal.

In a video update released March 16, Sunrise Cooperative CEO George Secor said Sunrise members approved the merger, but members at Mercer Landmark and Centerra Cooperative did not.

“First, I’d like to say thanks to all the stockholders and employees. We approved the merger with Centerra and Mercer Landmark. Unfortunately, neither one of them had enough votes to pass, so we will not be going through a merger,” Secor shared in the update.

A release from Centerra Cooperative confirmed the vote outcome: “We’d like to thank all voting members for your participation in the recent vote regarding the proposed merger with Sunrise Cooperative and Mercer Landmark. Less than 60% of the votes cast by Centerra members were in favor of this merger; therefore, Centerra will not be merging with these two cooperatives.”… Continue reading

Ag Net Communications and the Ohio Ag Net are proud to announce a new broadcast partnership with 104.9 The River in Columbus, expanding the network’s agricultural news coverage to listeners across Central Ohio.

Through the new affiliation, Ohio Ag Net’s trusted farm news, weather, markets, and feature programming will now be available to The River’s listeners, strengthening access to timely agricultural information to a new audience of agriculturalists and their customers.

“Central Ohio continues to grow rapidly, but agriculture remains a vital part of the region’s economy and identity,” said Ty Higgins, General Manager of Ag Net Communications. “Partnering with 104.9 The River allows us to connect with both farmers and consumers in the Columbus area, sharing the stories that impact agriculture every day. We’re excited to work with a station that values strong local programming and community connection.”

The addition of 104.9 The River further strengthens Ohio Ag Net’s statewide radio network, which provides agricultural news coverage to stations serving rural and urban audiences alike on over 70 affiliates across Ohio.… Continue reading

By Ty Higgins, Ohio Ag Net

Ohio Farm Bureau farmer-leaders recently took part in the 80th County Presidents’ Trip to Washington, D.C. As usual, there was no lack of pressing issues to discuss that have direct impacts on Ohio agriculture, but the most recent challenge for farmers preparing for the 2026 planting season is the inability to price or even secure fertilizer due to the conflict in Iran.

“Input prices were already record high, and commodity prices are historically low, so after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and knowing that so much of the global fertilizer goes through that Strait, we knew we had a problem on our hands,” said Dr. John Newton, vice president of public policy with American Farm Bureau. “We import 25% of our fertilizers through the months of March and April, and many producers didn’t pre-book those inputs, and they need to apply their fertilizer at a particular time, so this is a critical juncture for agriculture and food security.”… Continue reading

National Farmers Union (NFU) honored Joe Logan of Ohio and Dr. Dale McCall of Colorado with awards for Meritorious Service to Farmers Union and to American Agriculture, the highest honor presented by Farmers Union.

“The 2026 recipients of the Meritorious Service Award embody a lifelong commitment to Farmers Union and the safeguarding of family farms,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “Dale McCall and Joe Logan have demonstrated unwavering dedication to our community, and I am proud to recognize them for their service.”

Joe Logan is a 5th-generation farmer and served as an integral part of the Farmers Union organization in his home state and nationwide.

Logan strengthened both the internal foundation of Ohio Farmers Union (OFU) and its external partnerships, elevating OFU’s voice and impact. As president, he championed rural Ohio through a powerful combination of advocacy and education, ensuring that family farmers and rural communities were heard at every level.… Continue reading

The Ohio Soybean Council Foundation (OSCF) is pleased to announce the scholarship recipients for the 2026-2027 academic year.

This is the 19th year for the OSCF Scholarship Program, which was created to encourage undergraduate students to pursue degrees in various fields that support the future of the soybean industry, including agriculture, business, communication, economics, education, science, and technology, as well as to support ongoing graduate-level research. Since 2008, the OSCF Scholarship Program has awarded over $730,000 in scholarship funds to students studying agriculture or a related field at Ohio colleges or universities.

Undergraduate scholarships of $3,000 each were awarded to Alaina Bell, Adam Meyer, Anna Meyer, Kayla Meyers, Anna Moeller, Gracie Sprague, and Kaleigh Williams.

The annual $5,000 Bhima Vijayendran Scholarship, named in honor of a Battelle research scientist who made significant contributions to the soybean industry, was awarded to Chloee Howard.

The $3,000 Robinson W. Joslin Scholarship, established to recognize a long-time leader in Ohio’s soybean industry and beyond, was presented to Reagan Saunders.… Continue reading

Educators devote limitless time, and often their own resources, to helping students pursue their passions. To recognize the contributions of Ohio’s leading agricultural teachers, the Ohio FFA, Ohio Farm Bureau, AgCredit, Farm Credit Mid-America, and Nationwide are honoring ten exceptional teachers as finalists for the Golden Owl Award.

From Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025, nominations were collected for the state’s top agricultural teachers from local students, parents, fellow teachers and community members across Ohio.

Ohio’s 2025-2026 Golden Owl Award finalists are:

• Ryan Avers, Woodmore FFA
• Shanna Finnegan, Firelands FFA
• Roy Dria, Jackson FFA
• Cody McClain, Seneca East FFA
• Carmen Hartzell, Mississinawa Valley-MVCTC FFA
• Alex Zimmer, Buckeye Valley-DACC FFA
• Deanna Karpuz, Southwest Licking FFA
• Taylor Ryan, Indian Valley FFA
• Brian Cummings, Hillsboro Great Oaks FFA
• Marcheta Ferguson, Northwest-SCCTC FFA

Each finalist was presented with an individualized plaque in front of fellow teachers and students and received a $1,500 donation to their school’s agricultural program to support future educational efforts.… Continue reading