By 1808Delaware
On three winter mornings in the coming weeks, farmers and agribusiness professionals from across central Ohio will gather around coffee cups and plates of breakfast at a familiar Plain City landmark. The 2026 Winter Breakfast Series brings together the Delaware County Farm Bureau with counterparts in Franklin, Madison, and Union Counties for a focused run of conversations about where agriculture is heading and how to prepare for it.
Organized under the umbrella of the Ohio Farm Bureau, the series is built around a simple idea. Start the day early, respect people’s time, and offer information that can actually be used once everyone heads back to the farm, the office, or the field.
What the Series Is About
Each breakfast meeting pairs a hot meal with a tightly structured program aimed at current issues facing agriculture and agribusiness. The emphasis is on practical education rather than theory for theory’s sake.
Attendees can expect discussions that connect trends, tools, and policy decisions directly to day-to-day operations. The sessions are designed for farmers, landowners, agribusiness professionals, and Farm Bureau members who want clarity on what is changing and why it matters. The cost this year is $10 per session. That fee is reimbursable to current Farm Bureau members, who will need to provide their membership ID number when registering. Nonmembers are welcome, but the fee is not refundable if someone is unable to attend.
When and Where
All three sessions will be held at Der Dutchman, located at 445 Jefferson Ave in Plain City.
Doors open at 8:15 AM.
Breakfast is served at 8:30 AM.
Most programs run from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
The March session is an exception, running from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM to meet a specific workers’ compensation training requirement.
January 30: AI and Autonomous Equipment
The January 30 session looks squarely at one of the most talked-about topics in agriculture right now: artificial intelligence and autonomous equipment.
Speaker Christopher Dean will walk through recent developments, with an emphasis on real-world applications rather than distant speculation. The focus is on how these technologies are already showing up in agricultural organizations and what their future impact could look like on farms and in agribusiness settings. For anyone trying to separate hype from practical opportunity, this session is likely to be a useful starting point.
February 27: Outlook Meeting
February’s breakfast shifts to a broader economic lens with a multi-speaker outlook program.
Matt Roberts will cover commodity grain markets, trends, and prospects.
Barry Ward will address land values, crop input costs, margins, and new tax policy.
Ian Sheldon will provide an international economic outlook. Together, these presentations aim to give attendees a clearer picture of the forces shaping farm profitability, both at home and abroad. It is the most data-heavy session of the series and one that traditionally draws strong interest.
March 27: Workers’ Compensation Session
Details for the March 27 program will be announced later, but the structure is already set. This two-hour session runs from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and is designed to fulfill the Farm Bureau workers’ compensation requirement. For operations that need to check that box each year, this session offers a convenient way to do so while still fitting into a normal workday.
How Registration Works
Registration is handled online. Participants select their desired date or dates, add tickets to their cart, and complete checkout with basic contact information. Farm Bureau members will be prompted to enter their membership ID number during registration. For those who cannot locate a physical card, digital membership cards are available by logging into ofbf.org, opening the account dropdown menu, and selecting “Membership Card.”
Questions can be directed to 800.451.8908 or franklin@ofbf.org.
A Note on Expectations
This series is not meant to be flashy, and that is part of its appeal. It is designed for people who value clear information, early mornings, and the chance to leave with something concrete to think about. If that sounds like your kind of winter routine, these breakfasts are likely worth setting an alarm for.
