By Andi Anderson
The Farm Bureau is standing strong for Ohio’s farmers, working every day to ensure fair taxation and protect agricultural livelihoods.
One major focus has been improving the Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV) system, which helps reduce property taxes for farmland but still has flaws.
This past spring, Farm Bureau testified before Ohio lawmakers and worked closely with the Department of Taxation to explain how CAUV affects real farms.
One key concern is the lag between data used in the CAUV formula and actual tax bills. This gap often leads to farmers paying more than they should.
Thanks to Farm Bureau’s leadership, harmful legislative proposals were blocked, including one that would have shifted the property tax burden onto farmers. The group also celebrated a victory in woodland valuation.
New CAUV values now include proper clearing and drainage costs, helping most woodland soil types reach minimum assessment values.
Advocacy extended beyond Columbus. In March 2023, a forester raised concerns about woodland CAUV values. Farm Bureau acted immediately, reviewing data and working with experts. They discovered errors in soil value assessments from 2020 to 2022, leading to overpaid taxes.
When Trumbull County Auditor Martha Yoder took office, Farm Bureau reached out immediately.
Despite being new, she worked closely with Farm Bureau leaders and trustees to investigate and correct the issue. As a result, over $2.3 million in property tax refunds were returned to farmers in February 2024.
These refunds help farmers repair equipment, maintain barns, and invest in their future. Farm Bureau stresses that while communities face funding challenges, farmers should not be expected to cover those gaps unfairly.
The organization urges voters to support leaders who understand tax policy and fairness. Citizens are encouraged to stay informed, attend meetings, and take part in shaping their communities.
Farm Bureau remains committed to defending agriculture, showing that with teamwork and persistence, real change is possible for Ohio’s farmers.
Photo Credit: ohio-farm-bureau
Categories: Ohio, Government & Policy