By CELESTE BAUMGARTNER
Ohio Correspondent

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Beginning now, the second full week of March will be designated Ohio Agriculture Week in order to increase public recognition of the vitally important role agriculture plays in this state and across the nation.
This will coincide with National Agriculture Week. Gov. John Kasich was scheduled to sign the bill designating Ohio Agriculture Week into law last Friday (after press time). The bill was introduced by state Rep. Tim Derickson (R-Hanover Township).

In his testimony Derickson, who grew up on a dairy farm in Butler County, said, “I have a sincere appreciation for Ohio agriculture. This bill will celebrate and recognize the many contributions that Ohio’s farmers make to enhance the quality of life not only in our state but throughout the country.”

Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) Director Jim Zehringer supported the bill. In written testimony, he stated ag is Ohio’s leading industry, generating some $98 billion a year from farm to dinner plate.

“We need the best business climate that we can possibly create here in Ohio to keep and expand our farms.” Zehringer said. “That is why Governor John Kasich has asked me and the Department of Agriculture to come up with a plan to expand traditional, value-added and high-tech agriculture in Ohio.
“In short, he’s asking the agriculture industry to help lead Ohio out of recession.”

“When we think of agriculture in its simplest terms, we think of farmers,” Derickson said. “But the industry is bigger than that. It’s farmers, but it’s also equipment dealers, it’s scientists trying to figure out a way to increase soybean production, it’s truck drivers; it’s broad.

“This bill has all those different industries to come together and promote agriculture, which would be the right thing to do in Ohio.”

The idea for the bill was originally generated through a conversation Derickson had with Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones about the value of agriculture to the county.

The legislation received the support of the ODA, Ohio Farm Bureau, Ohio Cattleman’s Assoc., Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Assoc., Ohio Poultry Assoc., Ohio Pork Producers Assoc, Ohio Soybean Assoc., Ohio Dairy Producers, Ohio Produce Growers and Marketers Assoc., Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Assoc.,  the Ohio Wine Producers Assoc. and the Ohio Grocers Assoc.