LEAD for Pollinators

10/13/2026

https://action.oeffa.com/2026-election/

The election season is fast approaching. As a 501(c)(3) organization, OEFFA is strictly nonpartisan and cannot endorse or oppose any candidate for public office. However, we can provide resources to help our community better understand how Ohio’s candidates may approach food and farm issues.

In collaboration with local food and farm advocates and organizations, OEFFA has developed a:

Federal candidate questionnaire that was distributed to Ohio’s congressional candidates
A questionnaire for those running for Ohio Governor that is more tailored to Ohio, not federal programs
As they respond, we’ll link their completed questionnaires in the table below.

It is important to advocate for our values, get to know those in power, and better understand how our elected officials contribute (or don’t) to the food and farming system we would like to see. Our Candidate Questionnaire centers our member-driven priorities and includes questions on topics like local food infrastructure and purchasing, the farm safety net, corporate consolidation, healthy soil, conservation programs, agricultural research, and organic farming.

We encourage everyone to learn about your candidates and get out to vote! Election day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Visit this page to see the candidates and issues you’ll be voting on. OEFFA’s legislator lookup can help you find contact information for incumbent (already in office) candidates.

10/13/2026

Thank you to the Barberton, Ohio City Council for collaborating with local beekeepers to update their 1957 ordinance and allow backyard beekeeping in their city. At the Oct 12, 2026 City Council meeting the third reading of the ordinance was read, voted, and approved by the Barberton City Council. Thank you to local beekeepers helping make this possible: Emily Mueller, Carl Harp, Randy Katz, Kathy Ouma, and Michele Colopy.

07/21/2026

(pictured in photo from Akron City Hall Council Chambers: L-R: Councilmember, Fran Wilson, Carl Harp of Summit County Farm Bureau, Michele Colopy of LEAD for Pollinators, Emily Mueller of Meuller Honey Bee, Randy katz of Summit County Beekeepers.)

Akron, Ohio now has a reasonable, science-based beekeeping ordinance.

LEAD for Pollinators and the Summit Food Coalition began the process to update the Akron Bee Ordinance in 2018 as part of a greater process to support urban farming. All efforts were stymied in 2022.

Revitalizing this process in the last four months of 2026, The Akron Environmental Justice Coalition and LEAD for Pollinators, joined by the Summit County & Ohio Farm Bureau, Big Love Network, and Summit County Beekeepers reignited this work. With new city leadership, and an energized Councilmember, Fran Wilson, the ordinance was updated, and last night Akron City Council unanimously approved the updated ordinance.

Thank you to those who signed onto the group support letter, and for those citizens and beekeepers who submitted letters of support to City Council.

Beekeeping Committee of the Akron Environmental Justice Coalition
Ohio Farm Bureau
Big Love Network
Akron Environmental Justice Coalition
LEAD for Pollinators
Summit County Beekeepers Association

07/16/2026

TAKE ACTION by July 19, 2026

The Akron Environmental Justice Coalition and LEAD for Pollinators has been continuing the work started by the Summit Food Coalition to update the Akron ordinances concerning beekeeping, chickens, and urban farming. Begun before the pandemic working with previous councilmembers, finally under ward 1 Councilperson Fran Wilson an updated beekeeping ordinance has been proposed and will be voted on by Akron City Council Monday, July 20, 2026.

You can find the revised ordinance, LEAD for Pollinators support letter here,, and sign onto the Support letter at the LEAD for Pollinators ACTION webpage HERE https://leadforpollinators.org/akron-ohio-beekeeping-ordinance-update-2026/

Beekeeping Committee of the Akron Environmental Justice Coalition
Ohio Farm Bureau
Big Love Network
Akron Environmental Justice Coalition
LEAD for Pollinators
Summit County Beekeepers Association

07/16/2026

https://signalakron.org/beekeeping-in-akron-may-get-easier-if-city-council-eliminates-permits/

Proposed changes to Akron's beekeeping ordinance would make regulations clearer, encourage responsible beekeeping, experts say.

07/14/2026

TAKE ACTION by July 19, 2026

The Akron Environmental Justice Coalition and LEAD for Pollinators has been continuing the work started by the Summit Food Coalition to update the Akron ordinances concerning beekeeping, chickens, and urban farming. Begun before the pandemic working with previous councilmembers, finally under ward 1 Councilperson Fran Wilson an updated beekeeping ordinance has been proposed and will be voted on by Akron City Council Monday, July 20, 2026.

You can find the revised ordinance, LEAD for Pollinators support letter, and sign onto the Support letter at the LEAD for Pollinators ACTION webpage at https://leadforpollinators.org/akron-ohio-beekeeping-ordinance-update-2026/

Beekeeping Committee of the Akron Environmental Justice Coalition:
Ohio Farm Bureau
Big Love Network
Akron Environmental Justice Coalition
LEAD for Pollinators
Summit County Beekeepers Association

05/05/2026

https://grow.oeffa.org/farm-tours/

05/05/2026

Make your voice count. Ohio and Indiana Primary elections are today! Go Vote!!

04/09/2026

https://www.statenews.org/section/the-ohio-newsroom/2026-04-08/farmers-in-northwest-ohio-use-a-lot-of-pesticides-is-there-a-link-to-cancer

Of the 500 counties across the country that use the most pesticides per square mile, Investigate Midwest found 60% have above average rates of cancer.