COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio lawmakers are once again trying to cement a set of commemorative days for the state’s agricultural industry, reintroducing the Ag. Appreciation Act from the last legislative session. The bill, backed by State Reps. Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) and Bob Peterson (R-Sabina), aims to officially recognize a handful of agriculture-related observances in state law.
If passed, the legislation would make the following days permanent fixtures in Ohio’s calendar:
- FFA Week – Last full week of February
- 4-H Week – Week ending in the second Saturday of March
- Ohio Soil Health Week – Second full week of November
- Stormwater Awareness Week – First full week of October
- Agriculture Day – March 21
- Farmer’s Day – October 12
“These commemorative days will serve as a way to teach the next generation the importance of agriculture and encourage them to pursue careers in one of Ohio’s largest industries,” Klopfenstein said.
Peterson backed the push, saying the bill will give farmers overdue recognition. “I am excited to honor and recognize Ohio’s Agriculture Industry on these special days and hope Ohioans will appreciate the food, fiber, and fuel produced by farmers every day,” he said.
The agriculture industry dominates Ohio’s economy, generating over $100 billion and employing one in seven workers statewide. With more than 75,000 farms—90% of them family-owned—the industry remains a cornerstone of the state’s identity.
But the push for agricultural appreciation comes at a time of uncertainty for Ohio farmers. Many are sounding the alarm over recent tariff policies floated by Donald Trump, fearing a repeat of the 2018 trade war that cost U.S. soybean farmers an estimated $19.2 billion in lost exports. Some farmers, particularly those relying on international markets, are worried about the long-term economic impact if tariffs make a return.
“As much of a concern as we’re hearing about trade and what might happen to products we bring in from those countries, there’s a greater concern in the Ag sector for what we ship out to those countries,” Ty Higgins, spokesperson for the Ohio Farm Bureau, told Spectrum News 1.
The Ag. Appreciation Act doesn’t offer new policy solutions or direct financial relief for farmers. Instead, it locks in symbolic recognition for the industry, ensuring these commemorative days become permanent rather than being declared annually. Whether that recognition will be enough remains to be seen, as Ohio’s farming communities continue to navigate economic instability and shifting trade policies.