Farmers know: reliable trade partners matter. Canada and Mexico are two of our best grain buyers, and that didn't happen by accident. It's because of a trade agreement signed during President Donald Trump's first term, commonly known as USMCA.

But that agreement isn't guaranteed to last. In this edition of Kernels, Tadd Nicholson speaks with Lesly McNitt, Vice President of Public Policy to get answers about what's at stake for farmers and why the future of USMCA matters.

In this edition of Kernels, Tadd Nicholson sits down with State Representative Dave Thomas to get answers about the debate surrounding property taxes in Ohio. Discover what solutions are being discussed, and what it could mean for Ohio farm families.

Dr. Lacey Bonar Hull reveals the important role Ohio farmers will be playing in the America 250 celebration

And Lindsey Schwinn from Farm Credit Mid-America joins Kernels to share the conversation you need to be having right now about crop insurance, to protect your operation in the year ahead. Learn more about crop insurance offered by Farm Credit Mid-America at www.fcma.com

Ohio Corn & Wheat goes in-depth with NAWG's new CEO Sam Kieffer. And members of the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association discover a how new exclusive discount that could help them save on their farm insurance.

2025 was an exciting year on Kernels. In this episode, we walk through 3 of our favorite conversations.

We spoke with Director Brian Baldridge at Ohio Department of Agriculture about what we can expect in the coming years.

We got to know Jed Bower, an Ohio farmer and the new President of the National Corn Growers Association.

And we talked with our Ohio Corn & Wheat PAC leadership about the monumental decision to officially endorse a gubernatorial candidate for the first time in decades.

About Ohio Corn & Wheat

Ohio Corn & Wheat works to create opportunities for long-term Ohio corn and small grain grower profitability. It is a strategic alliance of two checkoffs and one membership-based organization. The Ohio Corn Checkoff and Ohio Small Grains Checkoff work to develop and expand markets, fund research and provide education about corn and wheat, respectively. The Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association is a membership organization advocating for supportive public policy on behalf of its farmer members. For more information, please visit www.ohiocornandwheat.org.

When you're planning this winter, health care costs should be just as important as your fertilizer or other input costs. With the farm economy in the state it's in and healthcare prices only going up without stability, there need to be a solution.

That's why we're thankful for our friends at teh Ohio Farm Bureau who've established health care solutions to fit you and your family's needs.

In this episode of Kernels, Tadd Nicholson talks with Trevor Kirkpatrick, Director of Health Services at OFB, to talk about the options and get some answers.

Members of the Ohio Farm Bureau can apply today to more affordable health care options at https://ofbf.org/hcs/

Links:

Join the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association: https://ohiocornandwheat.org/about-us/growers-association/

Learn more about the Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans: https://ofbf.org/hcs/

About Ohio Corn & Wheat

Ohio Corn & Wheat works to create opportunities for long-term Ohio corn and small grain grower profitability. It is a strategic alliance of two checkoffs and one membership-based organization. The Ohio Corn Checkoff and Ohio Small Grains Checkoff work to develop and expand markets, fund research and provide education about corn and wheat, respectively. The Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association is a membership organization advocating for supportive public policy on behalf of its farmer members. For more information, please visit www.ohiocornandwheat.org.

Choosing the right agronomic practices are vital to success on your farm year over year. That's why we had a conversation with JD Bethel, Agronomy Services Director at Seed Consultants, to go over the decision making process based on what we saw out in the field this year and what we're expecting to seecoming around the corner.

Join the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association: https://ohiocornandwheat.org/about-us/growers-association/

About Ohio Corn & Wheat

Ohio Corn & Wheat works to create opportunities for long-term Ohio corn and small grain grower profitability. It is a strategic alliance of two checkoffs and one membership-based organization. The Ohio Corn Checkoff and Ohio Small Grains Checkoff work to develop and expand markets, fund research and provide education about corn and wheat, respectively. The Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association is a membership organization advocating for supportive public policy on behalf of its farmer members. For more information, please visit www.ohiocornandwheat.org.

The new President of the National Corn Growers Association is Ohio's very own Jed Bower. Have you ever wondered what it takes to be the head of a national commodity organization? This episode of Kernels is your chance other find out.

Also on this episode, get a special discount code for Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association members for the succession planning workshops provided by the Ohio State Extension Farm Office.

Planning for the Future of Your Farm Workshops: https://farmoffice.osu.edu/farm-transition/planning-future-your-farm-workshops
Join the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association: https://ohiocornandwheat.org/about-us/growers-association/

About Ohio Corn & Wheat

Ohio Corn & Wheat works to create opportunities for long-term Ohio corn and small grain grower profitability. It is a strategic alliance of two checkoffs and one membership-based organization. The Ohio Corn Checkoff and Ohio Small Grains Checkoff work to develop and expand markets, fund research and provide education about corn and wheat, respectively. The Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association is a membership organization advocating for supportive public policy on behalf of its farmer members. For more information, please visit www.ohiocornandwheat.org.

Dale Minyo is hanging up his microphone and stepping into retirement at the end of this year — but what will he do next?

Also on this episode, what should you be talking to your loan officer about in this farming economy?

It's all comingup on this episode of Kernels.

Learn more about Farm Credit Mid-America: https://www.fcma.com/home

Join the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association: https://ohiocornandwheat.org/about-us/growers-association/

About Ohio Corn & Wheat

Ohio Corn & Wheat works to create opportunities for long-term Ohio corn and small grain grower profitability. It is a strategic alliance of two checkoffs and one membership-based organization. The Ohio Corn Checkoff and Ohio Small Grains Checkoff work to develop and expand markets, fund research and provide education about corn and wheat, respectively. The Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association is a membership organization advocating for supportive public policy on behalf of its farmer members. For more information, please visit www.ohiocornandwheat.org.