Lake County Farm Bureau Members Address RFID Rules and State Policy at Painesville Annual Gathering
Sixty members, local officials, and guests gathered at the Lake County Fair Community Building in Painesville on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, for the Lake County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, where discussions centered on upcoming livestock tracking mandates and local policy priorities.
President Steve Ohmes presided over the evening event, which featured dinner provided by Ang’s Smoke BBQ and a virtual briefing from representatives of the Ohio Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health. The state agriculture officials outlined upcoming mandatory RFID species tagging requirements taking effect Jan. 1, 2027, explaining how the rule change will directly impact local livestock operations. The presentation detailed the ODA’s RFID reader loan program for county fairs, markets, and slaughter facilities, followed by a live question-and-answer session with local producers.
Elections and Policy Proposals Head to Columbus
During the business portion of the meeting, members voted on local policies to guide the county organization and established positions for submission to the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. State delegates will vote on these proposals at the OFBF Annual Meeting in Columbus on Dec. 10–11, 2026.
The adopted local policies address land use and energy, specifically calling for responsible land use regulations regarding data center development alongside wind and solar energy rules. Additional farmer resources were prioritized through the establishment of a comprehensive agriculture database designed to help new, beginning, and experienced farmers locate resources and funding opportunities. On the legislative front, members pushed for fair trade by supporting the reinstatement of Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling. Community discussions also targeted property tax relief, emergency response concerns, and expanded healthcare and insurance coverage in rural areas.
Members elected trustees for a two-year term, choosing Donald Jacobson Jr., Steve Ohmes, Kevin Rowan, and Don Jacobson. Chip Brown and Charlie Brown were elected to serve as delegates for the Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in 2027, with Don Jacobson and Anne Poorman selected as alternates.
Scholarships, Awards, and Lawmaker Recognition
Organization Director Mandy Orahood recognized lawmakers evaluated by county Farm Bureaus and the Ohio Farm Bureau Agriculture for Good Government Political Action Committee for supporting farm families. Honorees included Representative Dan Troy, House District 57 candidates Jesse Styles and Rick Walker, and Congressman David Joyce.
Sam Bly presented $3,000 in total scholarships to support local agricultural and higher education pursuits. Scholarship recipients included Kylie Ohmes and Paige Lucic, who each received $1,000 awards represented by their parents; Marc Ball, who received $500 in attendance; Audrey Pealer, who received $500 represented by her father; Emma Feckanin, who received $250 represented by her mother; and Macie Wrachford, who received $250 represented by her mother.
Volunteers who signed up new and renewal memberships were also honored. Donald Jacobson, Sam Bly, Michael Rought, and Steve Ohmes each signed one new or winback member. Volunteers securing two or more members received custom farm signs, including Steve Ohmes, Chip Brown, Eric Cotton, Anne Poorman, and Samantha Bly. A Chinese Auction raised $300 for county Farm Bureau scholarships during an event focused on supporting local agriculture.
