By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

MARION, Ohio — Corn and soybean growers in Ohio seem to be getting all the state’s attention and news headlines these days. But those involved with wheat, barley, oats and rye should take note – there is one organization looking out for you.

The Ohio Small Grains Marketing Program (OSGMP) was once created for public education and awareness. But now, committee members hope to further research and develop domestic and international markets for Ohio’s lesser-grown grains.

“We want to look at new markets for those growers that tend to deal with wheat, barley, oats and rye,” said Dwayne Siekman, OSGMP executive director. “We’ll also be looking to see if there are any limitations in Ohio to growing some of these crops and if there are this program can be of assistance to these growers.

“A lot of what we do is research, checking to see new uses of these small grains to ensure that small grains remain a vital part of the Ohio agriculture landscape. Checkoffs is the other angle. OSGMP is a new small grains market checkoff program that was started by the Ohio Wheat Growers Association back in 2007. It’s similar to what the growers of corn and soybeans have.

“But overall, our goal is to promote the grains and show the benefits of using small grains,” he said.

Most consumers don’t know that Oreo cookies are made from wheat grown in Ohio, or that Ohio wheat is generally not used for bread, or that there is a high demand for white wheat. The OSGMP plans on using facts such as these and its knowledge of other vast data to help small grains growers.

“I won’t say that wheat, barley, oats and rye have disappeared, but they’ve decreased dramatically in Ohio,” Siekman said. “Part of the blame is marketing opportunity. Part of the blame is the ability to grow the crop. Our hope is that the OSGMP helps develop markets for these growers.”

Beginning Oct. 1 of this year, a one-half percent of the net market value of those small grains will go toward a fund that will ultimately help small grains growers in Ohio. The funds will be collected at elevators, terminals, processors, millers or by truckers.

The new OSGMP board is made up of nine small grains growers: Chairman Brad Haas (Wood County), Vice Chairman Doug Goyings (Paulding County), Secretary Bryan Bush (Morrow County), Treasurer Phil Bischoff (Huron County) and members Mark Wachtman (Henry County), Jerry Murphy (Wyandot County), Gene Talapman (Preble County), Eugene Homan (Mercer County) and John Hoffman (Pickaway County).

For information about the OSGMP, contact Siekman at 740-382-0483.