Farm Bureau, county commission review policies
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
Highland County Farm Bureau representatives Steve Dillon, Heather Utter and Jim Faust provided an update on the bureau’s local policies for Highland
County Commissioners Jeremy Shaffer, Shane Wilkin and Tom Horst at the Jan. 12 commission meeting.
The Highland County Board of Commissioners met with representatives from Highland County Farm Bureau and Ohio Farm Bureau at the commissioners' Jan. 12 meeting.
Steve Dillion, Jim Faust and Ohio Farm Bureau Organization Director for Adams, Brown, Clermont and Highland counties Heather Utter met with commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer to go over 2011 Farm Bureau policies.
After a presentation by Dillon and Faust, the commissioners received the following Farm Bureau policies:
Highland County Farm Bureau, Inc.
Adopted Policies: 2010 and 2011
Local Policies
1. Drug Offenders – We support maximum penalties on drug offenders. Restitution for meth lab clean-up should be made by the offenders and not become a burden of the landowner or county. (R10/11)
2. Chemical Safety – a) We encourage the education of the community on safe handling and storage of insecticides, pesticides, and all other chemicals.
b) We encourage Farm Bureau members to provide emergency response agencies with on-farm location of flammable and hazardous materials.
(03/04 R)
3. Transportation Infrastructure – a) We support development of adequate funding to maintain county and township roads. b) We support the implementation of the recent feasibility study to be able to resolve traffic congestion for Highland Co. with improved access around Hillsboro. (07/08 R) c) We support the establishment of Smith-Hobart Drive. (10/11 N)
4. Water Quality – We support educational efforts related to maintaining the highest level of water quality for both farmers and non-farmers and encourage our members to be involved in watershed groups. (03/04 R)
5. Rural Development and Land Use – a) We support education and involvement of farmers and non-farmers in land use issues through the Comprehensive Plan and other land use tools to insure environmentally sound development and to maintain farmland. (03/04 R) b) Discourage large scattered development throughout open farmland areas and encourage the preservation of large contiguous blocks of prime farmland and open space. c) Encourage multiple use driveways and regulatory distance for mailboxes along road to assure adequate space for farm machinery trucks, etc. d) We support a driveway site approval system and adoption of the county access management plan. (06/07 R) e) We encourage county and township officials to pursue rural zoning to ensure environmentally sound development and to maintain farmland and open space. f) We encourage the development of a committee from the community at large to pursue a countywide zoning commission to protect the personal property rights of various land uses, i.e. agriculture, residential, industrial, etc. (07/08 N)
6. Livestock – a) We support the growth and economic viability of the livestock industry and encourage producers to follow approved manure management practices and strive to protect the environment. b) Support the implementation of a national animal identification program as a means to monitor animals that are entering the food chain and help ensure a safe food supply. (04/05 R c) Realizing the impact of commodity prices on livestock agriculture, we support the continued research and development of alternative foodstuffs and technology to improve efficiencies and to help control costs for producers. d) We support farmers working together to purchase Dried Distillers Grain (N 08/09)
7. Township Roads – We support the implementation of plans to make county and township roads safer and more accessible for ag equipment and other traffic by widening roads and removing obstructions such as trees, mailboxes, etc. (06/07 R)
8. Control of Noxious Weeds – a) We urge control of noxious weeds by farmers in all areas of the county and urge county and township officials to enforce present weed laws. b) We support the current program through the county engineer's office to control noxious weeds through mowing and spraying.
9. Rural Crime – a) In an effort to reduce rural crime, we support the development of a Highland County Neighborhood Watch Program. b) We support community service through the community corrections program. c) We encourage more strict laws and stiffer penalties for theft.
10. Agricultural District Program – We support enrollment and maintained participation in the Agricultural District Program as a method to protect those engaged in accepted agricultural practices. (04/05 N)
11. Address Signs – We encourage all residents to use house-numbering signs and will educate the public as to their availability.
12. Gun Safety – We support the gunlock safety program in Highland County. We encourage the increase in hunter education for youth and adults.
13. ATV's – We support an identification system for ATVs and encourage maximum penalties for trespassers. (04/05 N)
14. Renewable Fuels – We support the use and implementation of alternative energies such as solar and wind in our community. (10/11R)
15. Right of Way – We encourage farmers and landowners to respect the road right of ways when building fence and in their cropping programs. (N 08/09)
16. Health Care – In addition to National #9, we encourage the development of a consortium for the purchase of healthcare for displaced workers, farmers, and those who do not have healthcare. (N 08/09)
17. Agricultural Entrepreneurship – We encourage agricultural entrepreneurship and educational programs to produce and market agricultural products. (N 08/09)
18. Livestock Care – We support the Livestock Care Standards Boards. (N 09/10)
19. Zoning – We support county-wide zoning. (N 09/10)
20. Extension Funding – We support the continuation of extension funding (including 4-H, agriculture and consumer sciences) at the county and state level. (10/11N)
21. Soil and Water Services – We support the continuation of Soil and Water Services at the county and that these services not be regionalized. (10/11N)
22. Extension Services – We support the continuation of extension services at the county level. (10/11N)
23. Ag Education – We support the continuation of agricultural education funding to comprehensive schools in addition to vocational schools. Funding should remain at current (2010) levels. (10/11N)
24. Conservation Districts – We support the addition of a Highland County Conservatory District that would allow land to be conserved, not preserved. (10/11N).
Commissioners thanked the Farm Bureau members for all they do for the agricultural community and the local economy.
Faust also noted that the Highland County Farm Bureau membership drive is under way. You do not have to be involved in agriculture to join. The annual dues are $63, "a small investment to make," Faust said.
"We also want to thank the commissioners for their support and public policy involvement," Dillion said.
In other business, commissioners passed the following resolutions:
• A resolution to appoint Sam Snyder of Concord Township to serve on the Highland County Board of
Developmental Disabilities. He replaces Susan Emery on the board.
• A resolution to authorize a modification to the General Fund (A-00), Sheriff, as follows: From: Unappropriated Funds To: 0190-A006-A02.006, Sheriff-Employee Salaries for $7,159.58. The additional funds are from the High Visibility Enforcement Grant.
• A resolution to authorize a modification to the General Fund (A-00), Coroner, as follows: From: 0130-A402-F12.090, Coroner, Other Expense To: 0130-A002-F03.040, Coroner, Supplies for $2.00; From: 0130-A402-F12.055, Coroner, Telephone To: 0130-A002-F03.040, Coroner, Supplies, for $240.00.
• A resolution to authorize several modifications to the Help Me Grow budget.
The Highland County Board of Commissioners met with representatives from Highland County Farm Bureau and Ohio Farm Bureau at the commissioners' Jan. 12 meeting.
Steve Dillion, Jim Faust and Ohio Farm Bureau Organization Director for Adams, Brown, Clermont and Highland counties Heather Utter met with commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer to go over 2011 Farm Bureau policies.
After a presentation by Dillon and Faust, the commissioners received the following Farm Bureau policies:
Highland County Farm Bureau, Inc.
Adopted Policies: 2010 and 2011
Local Policies
1. Drug Offenders – We support maximum penalties on drug offenders. Restitution for meth lab clean-up should be made by the offenders and not become a burden of the landowner or county. (R10/11)
2. Chemical Safety – a) We encourage the education of the community on safe handling and storage of insecticides, pesticides, and all other chemicals.
b) We encourage Farm Bureau members to provide emergency response agencies with on-farm location of flammable and hazardous materials.
(03/04 R)
3. Transportation Infrastructure – a) We support development of adequate funding to maintain county and township roads. b) We support the implementation of the recent feasibility study to be able to resolve traffic congestion for Highland Co. with improved access around Hillsboro. (07/08 R) c) We support the establishment of Smith-Hobart Drive. (10/11 N)
4. Water Quality – We support educational efforts related to maintaining the highest level of water quality for both farmers and non-farmers and encourage our members to be involved in watershed groups. (03/04 R)
5. Rural Development and Land Use – a) We support education and involvement of farmers and non-farmers in land use issues through the Comprehensive Plan and other land use tools to insure environmentally sound development and to maintain farmland. (03/04 R) b) Discourage large scattered development throughout open farmland areas and encourage the preservation of large contiguous blocks of prime farmland and open space. c) Encourage multiple use driveways and regulatory distance for mailboxes along road to assure adequate space for farm machinery trucks, etc. d) We support a driveway site approval system and adoption of the county access management plan. (06/07 R) e) We encourage county and township officials to pursue rural zoning to ensure environmentally sound development and to maintain farmland and open space. f) We encourage the development of a committee from the community at large to pursue a countywide zoning commission to protect the personal property rights of various land uses, i.e. agriculture, residential, industrial, etc. (07/08 N)
6. Livestock – a) We support the growth and economic viability of the livestock industry and encourage producers to follow approved manure management practices and strive to protect the environment. b) Support the implementation of a national animal identification program as a means to monitor animals that are entering the food chain and help ensure a safe food supply. (04/05 R c) Realizing the impact of commodity prices on livestock agriculture, we support the continued research and development of alternative foodstuffs and technology to improve efficiencies and to help control costs for producers. d) We support farmers working together to purchase Dried Distillers Grain (N 08/09)
7. Township Roads – We support the implementation of plans to make county and township roads safer and more accessible for ag equipment and other traffic by widening roads and removing obstructions such as trees, mailboxes, etc. (06/07 R)
8. Control of Noxious Weeds – a) We urge control of noxious weeds by farmers in all areas of the county and urge county and township officials to enforce present weed laws. b) We support the current program through the county engineer's office to control noxious weeds through mowing and spraying.
9. Rural Crime – a) In an effort to reduce rural crime, we support the development of a Highland County Neighborhood Watch Program. b) We support community service through the community corrections program. c) We encourage more strict laws and stiffer penalties for theft.
10. Agricultural District Program – We support enrollment and maintained participation in the Agricultural District Program as a method to protect those engaged in accepted agricultural practices. (04/05 N)
11. Address Signs – We encourage all residents to use house-numbering signs and will educate the public as to their availability.
12. Gun Safety – We support the gunlock safety program in Highland County. We encourage the increase in hunter education for youth and adults.
13. ATV's – We support an identification system for ATVs and encourage maximum penalties for trespassers. (04/05 N)
14. Renewable Fuels – We support the use and implementation of alternative energies such as solar and wind in our community. (10/11R)
15. Right of Way – We encourage farmers and landowners to respect the road right of ways when building fence and in their cropping programs. (N 08/09)
16. Health Care – In addition to National #9, we encourage the development of a consortium for the purchase of healthcare for displaced workers, farmers, and those who do not have healthcare. (N 08/09)
17. Agricultural Entrepreneurship – We encourage agricultural entrepreneurship and educational programs to produce and market agricultural products. (N 08/09)
18. Livestock Care – We support the Livestock Care Standards Boards. (N 09/10)
19. Zoning – We support county-wide zoning. (N 09/10)
20. Extension Funding – We support the continuation of extension funding (including 4-H, agriculture and consumer sciences) at the county and state level. (10/11N)
21. Soil and Water Services – We support the continuation of Soil and Water Services at the county and that these services not be regionalized. (10/11N)
22. Extension Services – We support the continuation of extension services at the county level. (10/11N)
23. Ag Education – We support the continuation of agricultural education funding to comprehensive schools in addition to vocational schools. Funding should remain at current (2010) levels. (10/11N)
24. Conservation Districts – We support the addition of a Highland County Conservatory District that would allow land to be conserved, not preserved. (10/11N).
Commissioners thanked the Farm Bureau members for all they do for the agricultural community and the local economy.
• Faust also noted that the Highland County Farm Bureau membership drive is under way. You do not have to be involved in agriculture to join. The annual dues are $63, "a small investment to make," Faust said.
"We also want to thank the commissioners for their support and public policy involvement," Dillion said.
In other business, commissioners passed the following resolutions:
• A resolution to appoint Sam Snyder of Concord Township to serve on the Highland County Board of
Developmental Disabilities. He replaces Susan Emery on the board.
• A resolution to authorize a modification to the General Fund (A-00), Sheriff, as follows: From: Unappropriated Funds To: 0190-A006-A02.006, Sheriff-Employee Salaries for $7,159.58. The additional funds are from the High Visibility Enforcement Grant.
• A resolution to authorize a modification to the General Fund (A-00), Coroner, as follows: From: 0130-A402-F12.090, Coroner, Other Expense To: 0130-A002-F03.040, Coroner, Supplies for $2.00; From: 0130-A402-F12.055, Coroner, Telephone To: 0130-A002-F03.040, Coroner, Supplies, for $240.00.
• A resolution to authorize several modifications to the Help Me Grow budget.
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