Legal with Leah
Ohio Farm Bureau
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Policy Counsel Leah Curtis discusses topics impacting farmers and landowners such as property rights, taxes and other legal and regulatory issues.
Available episodes
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Jun 9, 2020
Legal With Leah - Dicamba
Thousands of farmers across Ohio and the country planted soybeans this spring with the intention of using the weed killer dicamba to keep those bean fields clean. Then, a court ruled to vacate three brands of the herbicide’s EPA registration and there were some questions about being able to use dicamba at all in 2020.
For this Legal with Leah, we have an update and answers to the many questions that have been swirling around dicamba.
Jun 8, 2020
Legal With Leah - Home Butchering
Food supply issues due to COVID-19 has had some consumers worried about what they may not be able to find at the grocery store meat case. That has led to a push to connect with local farmers for meat, putting a strain on local butcher shops. The wait time for freezer meat is a far out from a couple of months to a year. Because of that, home butchering is seeing a renaissance of sorts. Ohio Farm Bureau policy counsel Leah Curtis has some important information for those processing their own meat in this Legal with Leah.
Apr 15, 2020
Legal With Leah - Animals At Large
The possibilities of property damage or putting the public in danger are just some important reasons to keep farm animals inside the fence. There can be civil or criminal implications for an animal running at large. Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis covers the ramifications of repeated offenses of livestock escaping the farm in this Legal with Leah.
Mar 13, 2020
Legal with Leah - Browne v. Artex
Oil and gas production is still a big business for Ohio. In fact, the state realized an increase in production in the latter part of 2019. But the oil and gas industry, and more specifically the lease agreements that are made within it, have also been the reason for a good amount of litigation.
Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis tackles one of the lawsuits that is getting some attention recently.
Feb 18, 2020
Legal with Leah - Frost Law
For many Ohio drivers, knowing the rules of the road pertains to things like wearing your seat belt, staying below the speed limit or using a turn signal. But there are many rules out there that only apply if you are driving a big rig with a heavy load, as many farmers do. Some of the road rules that were created for those situations literally change with the weather, including the Frost Law. That’s our focus on this Legal with Leah. Leah Curtis is Policy Counsel for Ohio Farm Bureau.
Jan 27, 2020
Legal With Leah - Daylight Saving Time
The time change. We do it twice a year, like clockwork. One hour ahead in the spring and one hour back in the fall. It is a painstaking task that, if forgotten, makes up way late for church or way early to ball practice. But just why do we do it and it is still necessary?
For this Legal with Leah, we’ll try to figure it all out. Leah Curtis is Policy Counsel with Ohio Farm Bureau.
Nov 15, 2019
Legal With Leah - Sky Lanterns
As majestic and harmless as sky lanterns may seem, the come with the possibility of dangerous consequences. In this Legal with Leah, learn about the rules that come with setting off sky lanterns and the options landowners have if damage is caused by them.
Oct 24, 2019
Legal With Leah - What a Good Lease Should Look Like
Get it in writing is good advice, especially when it comes to leasing land. On this episode of Legal with Leah, Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis explains why and what a good lease should look like.
Oct 8, 2019
Legal With Leah - SMV and SIS Signs
With farm equipment on rural roads this fall, farmers should be sure their Slow Moving Vehicle and Speed Identification Symbol signs are properly displayed. Just as important, motorists should know what those signs mean. Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis talks with Joe Cornely about how these signs contribute to road safety.
Sep 19, 2019
Legal With Leah - Sales Tax On Motor Vehicles
What the agriculture sales tax exemption covers and what it doesn’t, particularly when it comes to motor vehicles, is the topic of conversation for this Legal with Leah. Ty Higgins and Ohio Farm Bureau policy counsel Leah Curtis have the details.
Sep 4, 2019
Legal With Leah - Ohio Farm Bureau Legal Fund
For 100 years, people have turned to Ohio Farm Bureau to help them in the legislative arena at the state and national level. More and more, members are relying on Farm Bureau in the legal world as well. Many have asked how they could contribute to these legal actions over the years. In this Legal with Leah, Joe Cornely, Ohio Farm Bureau senior director of communications, visits with Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis about the newly formed legal fund.
Aug 13, 2019
Legal with Leah - Ohio's Gas Tax Increase
In this Legal with Leah, Ty Higgins visit with Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis about the reasons for Ohio's tax hike on gas, how those funds will be used and how our new gas tax compares to other states in the region.
Jul 23, 2019
Legal With Leah - New Budget Includes Nuisance Lawsuit Protections
Some aspects of the new two-year state budget will better protect farmers from nuisance lawsuits. Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis visits with Ty Higgins, Ohio Farm Bureau director of media relations, about the language included in the budget and its importance to agriculture.
Jul 18, 2019
OFBF Policy Podcast - The State Budget And Agriculture
As details are released about Ohio's new 2 -year, $69 billion budget, you will be hearing a lot about a 4% state income tax cut, 21 being the new age to buy tobacco or vaping products, and a new presidential primary date. But what’s in this budget for agriculture. In this podcast, Ty Higgins gets those details from Ohio Farm Bureau's Directors of State Policy, Tony Seegers and Jenna Beadle and Policy Counsel Leah Curtis.
Jun 24, 2019
Legal with Leah: Is your CAUV designation at risk?
If you were unable to plant, is your CAUV designation at risk? Farm Bureau policy counsel Leah Curtis explains the law and what you should do. Plus, an update on the decline in farmland taxes.
Jun 21, 2019
Legal With Leah: Supreme Court Agrees with OFBF Stance on Eminent Domain
On this episode of Legal with Leah, Ty Higgins visits with Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis about a recent Supreme Court decision regarding eminent domain, the topic of the first Supreme Court case that Ohio Farm Bureau has been involved with in the organization's 100 year history.
May 1, 2019
Legal with Leah: Child Labor
If you’re hiring kids to work on the farm this summer, there are a number of rules you need to follow. Farm Bureau policy counsel Leah Curtis runs it all down.
Apr 4, 2019
Legal with Leah: Lake Erie Bill of Rights Update
There have been many developments on the Lake Erie Bill of Rights (LEBOR) front since the law was passed by Toledo voters. In the latest Legal with Leah, Ty Higgins visits with Ohio Farm Bureau's Policy Council Leah Curtis about the actions being taken by both sides of the issue and why farmers should keep up with LEBOR updates, whether they live in the watershed or not.
Jan 29, 2019
LEBOR Update
Toledo voters will soon decide whether farmers can be sued by Lake Erie. In this update of the Lake Erie Bill of rights on Legal with Leah, Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis says the court has ruled the measure can be voted on later this month.
Jan 17, 2019
Lake Erie Bill of Rights
You could be sued….. by Lake Erie. Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis explains the scary consequences of the proposed Lake Erie Bill of Rights on Legal With Leah.
Dec 13, 2018
Cottage Foods
If you’re selling foods from your home kitchen, there are some state regulations you should know about. Farm Bureau policy counsel Leah Curtis helps keep you legal on this episode of Legal with Leah.
Oct 30, 2018
Judicial Elections
Lots of folks say they’re confused about how to make an informed vote for judges. Farm Bureau policy counsel Leah Curtis says that’s not good, and tells us how to fix it.
Oct 15, 2018
Lake Rights Court Ruling
Two wins on the legal front for farmers who faced potentially troubling rulings dealing with agriculture and water quality. Farm Bureau policy counsel Leah Curtis shares the good news.
Oct 11, 2018
Post SCOTUS
On this episode of Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau’s first engagement with the Supreme Court of the United States was a special opportunity. Policy Counsel Leah Curtis shares the experience with us.
LWLP
Oct 1, 2018
Eminent Domain and the U.S. Supreme Court
For the first time ever, Ohio Farm Bureau is engaged in a case before the Supreme Court of the United States. Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis explains.
Aug 23, 2018
Ag Districts
A North Carolina judge has awarded rural residents millions of dollars because nearby hog farms smell, attract flies and increase truck traffic. Can that happen in Ohio? Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis has some answers.
Aug 7, 2018
CAUV Update
New, lower CAUV valuations will be applied this year in 24 Ohio counties. Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis talks about what this means and how it came to be.
May 8, 2018
Worker Protection Standards
Farm employers should be aware of updates to the Worker Protection Standards rules. Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis explains who has to do what.
Apr 12, 2018
Legal with Leah: Legalities of Selling Products at Farmers' Markets
If you plan to sell food direct to consumers, you should know about Ohio laws that spell out the rules. Farm Bureau policy counsel Leah Curtis explains.
Feb 1, 2018
Legal with Leah: SCOTUS Rules On WOTUS
SCOTUS on WOTUS - a Supreme Court ruling gives farmers a win on the Waters of the U.S. case, and USEPA slow plays the whole issue. Farm Bureau policy counsel Leah Curtis shares the good news.
Jan 5, 2018
Legal with Leah: Commercial Drivers Licenses Update
An update on Commercial Drivers Licenses, and potential changes coming for those who have their CDL: Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis has the latest.
Dec 5, 2017
Legal with Leah: Recreational User Immunity
Landowners have immunity (mostly) from suits brought by recreational users of property. Leah Curtis, Farm Bureau’s legal counsel, has details.
Nov 22, 2017
Legal with Leah: CAUV, Conservation and Certification
The recent CAUV reforms more accurately value land in conservation, but some landowners need to get with their county auditor to take advantage of the changes. Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis explains.
Nov 8, 2017
Legal with Leah: Federal Air Emissions Reporting
Farmers may soon be subject to federal air emissions reporting requirements. Farm Bureau policy counsel Leah Curtis covers all the details on a pending Nov. 15 deadline.
Nov 1, 2017
Legal with Leah: Charter Petition
If enacted poorly, county charter governments could hurt Ohio agriculture. A recent Ohio Supreme Court ruling drew heavily on Ohio Farm Bureau’s views on the issue. Policy Counsel Leah Curtis has the story.
Sep 27, 2017
Legal with Leah: Pipeline and Eminent Domain
Can pipeline companies take your land via eminent domain? OFBF policy counsel Leah Curtis says there’s no one answer and there’s still some legal uncertainty. And she tells you where to turn for help.
Aug 23, 2017
Legal with Leah: Pipeline Damage Mitigation
While the benefits of Ohio’s oil and gas boom are many, so too are the problems facing landowners who are dealing with pipeline companies. What Farm Bureau is doing on behalf of its members and steps landowners should take are subjects covered by OFBF policy counsel Leah Curtis.
Aug 9, 2017
Legal With Leah: CAUV Reform
CAUV reform is now a reality. OFBF policy counsel Leah Curtis explains the improvements and how Farm Bureau members made it happen.
May 15, 2017
Legal with Leah: Open Burning Laws
Ohio has some specific rules and regulations regarding open burning. What you can burn and where are some of the insights shared by Leah Curtis, Ohio’s policy counsel.
Apr 20, 2017
Legal with Leah: Pesticide Drift Recourse
Things can go wrong during pesticide applications. What recourse do neighboring property owners have if damage is done? Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis reviews the law, and has suggestions for producers of sensitive crops.
Apr 10, 2017
Clean Water Act developments
The Des Moines Water Works suit against upstream farmers gets shut down, and WOTUS likely will look a lot different, in a good way, under President Trump’s EPA. Farm Bureau policy counsel Leah Curtis has the updated news.
Jan 31, 2017
Clean Water Act issues still pending in court
Des Moines, Iowa’s water division has been told it can’t collect monetary damages from upstream water districts, but still pending is the legal fight over whether farms and watersheds can be designated point sources of pollution. Farm Bureau law director Leah Curtis has the latest.
Dec 9, 2016
Migrant Labor Housing Rules
Farmers who provide temporary housing to migrant workers will have some new rules to comply with in 2017. Leah Curtis, Farm Bureau’s director of agricultural law, reminds farmers to check the details when the Department of Health sends your application packet.
Nov 10, 2016
Dormant mineral rights
Landowners who may have sold their surface property but kept the underlying mineral rights should know about a new Ohio Supreme Court ruling. OFBF director of ag law Leah Curtis covers dormant mineral rights on this Legal with Leah.
Oct 27, 2016
Voting selfies
It may not be a great idea (think jail) to take a selfie with your completed election ballot. Farm Bureau law director Leah Curtis explains.
Sep 21, 2016
Farm youth labor laws
What farm jobs can kids do or not do? Leah Curtis, OFBF’s director of ag law runs down the U.S. Department of Labor’s youth laws. To read more visit https://www.dol.gov/whd/AG/ag_pocket_guide.pdf.
Aug 31, 2016
Small Claims Court
There’s a new, higher cap on the value of claims you can make in small claims court. OFBF ag law director Leah Curtis explains how the court works, how you can use it and how you can’t.
For a guide on using the court, visit www.ohiojudges.org/Document.ashx?DocGuid=7ccff07a-9c2c-4671-b10f-845072444576
Aug 17, 2016
Charter government
In four Ohio counties, voters could be asked to radically change their governance structure in ways that would be bad for citizens and especially bad for farmers. OFBF law director Leah Curtis explains what’s going on and what Farm Bureau is doing about it.
Aug 2, 2016
Drone Law, Part 2
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued new regulations on the use of drones. What you can and can’t do is determined largely by whether you’re using your drone for work or for fun. Ohio Farm Bureau’s Ag Law Director Leah Curtis has the details.
Jun 21, 2016
Drone Law
Who can operate a drone for what purposes? Farm Bureau ag law director Leah Curtis explains that as of yet most drone laws are unclear. One thing’s for sure: You can’t use your neighbor’s drone for target practice!
Jun 15, 2016
WOTUS lawsuits
The U.S. EPA is attempting to go beyond its legislated authority to regulate agriculture under the Clean Water Act. Leah Curtis of Ohio Farm Bureau explains that several states and the American Farm Bureau are fighting EPA in court.
Jun 10, 2016
How line fence law addresses weed control
What to do about an obnoxious neighbor with noxious weeds? Farm Bureau ag law director Leah Curtis has the answers for rural landowners.
Feb 24, 2016
Eminent Domain Feb. 2016 Part 2
In our second part of the eminent domain discussion we cover more about who can take your land (including pipeline companies)and discuss what to do if they try. Ohio Farm Bureau director Ag Law, Leah Curtis has the info.
Feb 24, 2016
Eminent Domain Feb. 2016 Part 1
Who can take your property and under what circumstances? Farm Bureau’s Leah Curtis explains the ins and outs of the power of eminent domain. (And yes, she covers how The Donald tried to take a little old lady’s house.)
Nov 17, 2015
Ag Sales Tax Exemption
Does the ag sales tax exemption apply to ATVs and utilities vehicles? Ohio Farm Bureau Director of Ag Law Leah Curtis definitively says: "sometimes." Learn about when these vehicles qualify, and for whom, in this latest Legal with Leah.
Aug 13, 2015
Liability issues of equipment on roads
There’s a difference between being ticketed and being sued if you’re involved with an equipment accident on the road. Learn more, plus road rules and what to do if you’re in an accident from Farm Bureau’s Leah Curtis.
Aug 6, 2015
Grain Test Disputes
What recourse do farmers have if they dispute their test results from the elevator? Farm Bureau’s ag law director Leah Curtis and Joe Cornely talk about the options.
Jul 22, 2015
Grain Bin Taxation
Grain bins can no longer be taxed as real property, which might save you some money. Farm Bureau law director Leah Curtis talks with Joe Cornely about the recent court ruling at its implications.
Jul 10, 2015
What you need to know about Tree Law
Can you hack away at the neighbor’s bothersome tree? What if it falls on your property? Can utility companies trim your trees? Farm Bureau’s ag law director Leah Curtis and Joe Cornely talk tree law.
Jun 10, 2014
Lessons learned from OSHA overstep
OSHA overstepped it’s authority in trying to regulate an Ohio farmer. He called Farm Bureau and made the problem go away. OFBF director of ag law Leah Curtis talks with Joe Cornely about the lessons learned from another federal agency going too far.
Jun 10, 2014
Farm equipment on roads
As farmers transport equipment from field to field they should be aware of Ohio laws governing weight, size, lighting and signage. Leah and Joe cover these topics on this edition of Legal With Leah.
Feb 25, 2014
Answering questions about Current Agricultural Use Valuation.
Ohio’s system of taxing farmland continues to be a good deal for farmers and their local communities, but tax bills are going higher. Leah and Joe answer your questions about Current Agricultural Use Valuation.
Other Farm Bureau CAUV Resources:
Brochure and blog: http://ofbf.org/news-and-events/news/3939/
Guide to CAUV: http://ofbf.org/news-and-events/news/894/
Leah Curtis thinking critically about CAUV blog: http://ofbf.org/news-and-events/news/2878/
Online recorded web meeting: http://ofbf.org/news-and-events/events/659/
Feb 5, 2013
Leah Curtis - CAUV Web meeting to cover calculations, value/tax increases, more
Ohio Farm Bureau Director of Legal Education Leah Curtis defines the Current Agricultural Use Valuation (CAUV) program; why those with land enrolled in CAUV may notice varying increases in the valuation, and their taxes; and shares how Ohio Farm Bureau members can register for a Feb. 27 web meeting on this topic in this interview with Communications Specialist Chip Nelson.
Learn more about the Feb. 27 CAUV web meeting for Ohio Farm Bureau members at http://ofb.ag/227webmtg