By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

COLUMBUS, Ohio — As urban sprawl increases across this vast country so too does the interaction between man and animal. And as homeowners move ever so close to their farming neighbor concerns over animal care and welfare oftentimes make front page headlines. It seems like everyone is talking and no one is willing to listen. The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) is hoping to change all that.

OFBF recently created a Center for Food and Animal Issues (CFAI) and its team of professionals will facilitate discussion over society’s relationship to animals. OFBF hopes to bring together diverse interests including farmers, consumers, zoos, hunters, researchers and pet owners to make sure all voices are heard as decisions about animals are considered.

“Animals in today’s society play a lot of different roles, whether it’s recreational or personal, from sportsmen to zoo animals,” said Mike Bumgarner, vice president of the Ohio Farm Bureau
Federation. “What’s happened over time is that people have gotten more active in their part of society but gotten more removed from the roles that animals play in other segments of society. What we want to do is build a coalition whereby we engage all segments and try to look at issues that are common to everyone.”

The CFAI will develop programs and partnerships that promote dialog among all stakeholders who benefit from animals and their lives. A core belief of the Center is that people have a right to use animals and a responsibility to do so humanely.

“The pet owner needs to have an appreciation for the farmer with livestock and the farmer needs to have a better understanding of how a pet owner views what he does,” Bumgarner said.
“We’re just trying to educate and engage all segments to help create a better understanding of the roles that animals play in everyone’s world today,” he added.

Bumgarner will lead CFAI’s efforts. Assisting Bumgarner will be Director of Food Programs Leah Dorman, D.V.M., formerly the assistant state veterinarian, Executive Assistant Wanda Campbell, who has years of experience working with OFBF’s grassroots network of family farmers, and David White, senior director of issues management and the Animals for Life Foundation.

White was once executive director of the Ohio Livestock Coalition. White, the latest addition to this team, will be responsible for engaging in identifying, researching and monitoring animal issues.
“We have assembled an outstanding group with knowledge of all aspects of animal issues,” Bumgarner said. “Their collective experience will ensure that the Center gives thoughtful consideration to questions regarding the proper role of animals. We want to be proactive in our efforts.”

Last week CFAI received an early boost in its infancy stage thanks to a $100,000 donation approved by the Board of Directors for Farm Credit Services of Mid-America, a $15.5 billion agriculture lending company serving more than 85,500 farmers and rural residents.

“It seems logical that as an agricultural lender we would get behind the Farm Bureau’s initiative,” said Donnie Winters, president and CEO for FCS. “Many of our board members are livestock farmers themselves and wholeheartedly support the objectives of the Center, feeling that changes or advancements in animal well-being guidelines should be based on expert analysis, economic feasibility and sound information.”