COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio agricultural community came together to open the 131st Ohio General Assembly to recognize elected officials and promote the importance of sound public policy for Ohio agriculture.

“Nineteen organizations and businesses hosted a luncheon for the lawmakers in the Statehouse. They used the occasion to renew longstanding relationships and build new ones,” said Quinton Keeran, spokesperson for Ohio Pork Council (OPC).

It was an opportunity for the agriculture and food production community to show what is great about the industry in Ohio, said Brandon Kern, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) director of state policy. 

Members of the Ohio Poultry Assoc., Ohio Cattlemen’s Assoc., Ohio Sheep Improvement Assoc. and OPC all contributed meat for the meal, Kern explained. Dannon Yogurt, Ohio cheese makers and other food processors also provided food, which consisted almost completely of Ohio products. “What a treat to come together on the first day of the 131st General Assembly with our families, colleagues and staff and be treated to one of the best ‘home grown’ meals I’ve had in the Ohio Statehouse,” said Rep. Tim Derickson, (R-District 53).

The event was a showcase of how these groups all work together and more, Kern said, not just traditional ag groups, but the larger food production community coming together to work collaboratively. 

While this event was a social affair, the food and farm groups also took the opportunity to set the stage for upcoming legislative discussions on topics such as fair tax structure for agriculture. They also hope to look at short- and long-term solutions to water quality challenges and the streamlining of state regulations. 

“There is always a concern about overregulation or misconception of practices involved in modern agriculture, but this event was really about education and building those relationships, both existing and new,” OPC’s Keeran said. 

Added Kern: “At the top of the list, Farm Bureau is going to continue to work on water quality issues and protecting Ohio’s water resources; leading the effort in terms of what agriculture’s role is in doing that. Tax reform continues to be a topic that lawmakers are interested in, and we want to make sure that the perspective of a fair tax system for agricultural production is a part of that.”

Co-sponsors are: Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, Ohio AgriBusiness Assoc., Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Assoc., Ohio Pork Council, Ohio Quarter Horse Assoc., Ohio Soybean Assoc., OSU College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences/OARDC/OSU Extension/ATI;

Ohio Cattlemen’s Assoc., Ohio Dairy Producers Assoc., Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Assoc., Ohio Grocers Assoc., Ohio Poultry Assoc., Ohio Soft Drink Assoc., Ohio Sheep Improvement Assoc., Ohio Veterinary Medical Assoc., The Andersons, Inc., Anheuser-Busch, Farm Credit Mid-America and Sinclair UAS Precision Agriculture.