Stop to appreciate Ohio's agriculture

Dairy cows must be milked two to three times and consume more than 50 pounds of food every day. In nine seconds, a farmer can harvest enough wheat to make 70 loaves of bread and one bushel of corn sweetens more than 400 cans of pop. Perhaps Ohioans do not consider these interesting facts when they pour milk into their morning coffee, slice bread to make their lunches or pull a can of pop from the refrigerator, but they are proof that there is much more than meets the eye when it comes to the agriculture industry - especially in Ohio.

There is no question that agriculture is a key component of our nation's economy, as the U.S. provides necessary products throughout the world, and Ohio offers a significant contribution to this industry. Nevertheless, many are unaware of the scope of the agriculture industry or of its widespread impact on our communities. For this reason, the Agriculture Council of America sponsors National Ag Week, which takes place every year at the start of spring.

This year, National Ag Week is March 16-22, with Ag Day occurring on March 20. The events associated with National Ag Week provide great opportunities to learn more about the roles of farms, farmers, agricultural corporations and related government agencies. Moreover, they offer a chance to understand how each of these entities affects our daily lives.

Ohioans in particular can use this time to better appreciate the economic powerhouse that the agriculture industry continues to be in our state. For example, the more than 76,000 farms in the state employ almost 15 percent of Ohioans, and the products these farms produce add nearly $80 billion a year to the state's economy. The 1st Senate District can boast of leading Ohio's counties in a number of agricultural areas. In the past year, Putnam, Van Wert and Hancock Counties placed third, fourth and fifth, respectively, in the state's soybean production.

Also, Fulton County ranked in the top 10 of Ohio's corn producers, and Putnam County produced the most winter wheat in Ohio.

Aside from providing these crops, Ohio agriculture is answering the call for more developments in the field of alternative energy. While Ohioans are reeling from the recent spike in fuel prices, the state's most fruitful crops, corn and soybeans, are becoming an important part of the burgeoning bio-fuel industry. For example, corn is used to produce ethanol fuels, like E-85, that Ohioans are seeing more and more often at local gas stations. In addition, the state is home to a number of ethanol processing plants, the newest one having opened recently in Leipsic and another scheduled to open on April 1 in Lima.

I believe that Ohio's agriculture industry can be a source of hope for the state's residents. First of all, it successfully provides the produce, meat and dairy products, among other materials, that Ohioans need to maintain the health of their families. Moreover, as the Chairman of the Fuel Production Task Force, which is examining the future of the alternative energy industry in Ohio, I know that because of the state's strong agriculture industry, it has the potential to be a leader in bio-fuel field. Finally, the success of both of these aspects of Ohio agriculture mean that this industry will continue to maintain good jobs, create new ones and attract investors to the state, ultimately strengthening Ohio's economy.

Because the agriculture industry is such an important part of Ohioans' lives, I hope that you will take advantage National Ag Week to learn more about it. For information about Ag Week, to read fascinating farm facts or to find out how you can plan an Ag Day event, visit the Agriculture Council of America's Ag Day website: www.agday.org.

I encourage all residents of the 1st Senate District to contact me with any questions, thoughts or concerns, or if you need assistance working with a state government agency. You can write me, Senator Steve Buehrer, Ohio Senate, Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio, 43215, or contact me by phone at (614) 466-8150.

In addition, I can always be reached by email at SD01@mailr.sen.state.oh.us.