As we discuss the economy in Ohio and the 17th Senate District, it is important to recognize that agriculture is still Ohio's number one industry.

Ohio's food and agricultural industry contributes $73 billion to the state's economic growth (1999) and employs one in six Ohioans in areas such as wholesaling and retailing, farm production, marketing and processing, and agribusiness. In 2002, Ohio had more than 78,000 farms, with 99 percent of those family-owned. Like the rest of the economy, agriculture is changing very rapidly, and farmers are one of the biggest users of technology. Statistics suggest that the average farmer feeds 129 people as a result of better production methods and higher yields due to weed control and biotechnology.

New crops are being grown and being used for new purposes. Dale Stokes has a berry farm in Clinton County and was recently featured in an Ohio newspaper about the health benefits of black raspberries. According to Dale, "Medical research indicates that fresh-from-the-plant fruits and vegetables have higher levels of beneficial antioxidants that keep the body healthy." He also cited research that indicates antioxidants help reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and may help prevent cardiovascular disease. These breakthroughs present real opportunities for agriculture and industries in Ohio. (Dale Stokes Raspberry Farm, 2822 Center Road, Wilmington; (937) 382-4004).

I serve on the Southern Ohio Agricultural and Community Development Foundation as a non-voting member. The specific task of the Foundation is to help transition tobacco farmers into other forms of agriculture by providing funds for equipment, education and other types of diversification. The Foundation was created with funds from the tobacco settlement, and focuses on

4Increasing the variety, quantity, and value of agricultural products other than tobacco that are produced in those parts of Ohio in which tobacco has traditionally been grown;

4Preserving agricultural land and soils in those same parts of Ohio;

4Making strategic investments in communities that will be affected by the reduction in the demand for tobacco;

4Providing education and training assistance to tobacco growers to help them make the transition out of tobacco production.

The Foundation offers educational assistance, general agricultural projects, economic development and agricultural diversification programs to Ohio farmers. More information and applications for upcoming programs are available now at your local county Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Services, Soil and Water Conservation District, and OSU Extension Offices, or by contacting the foundation's office in Hillsboro at 937-393-2700.

I also serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee. This past legislative session, we have worked on a number of bills including House Bill 143, legislation that made much-needed changes to the Ohio Seed Law, Senate Bill 202, which revised the laws governing the inspection of meat and poultry, and Senate Bill 209, legislation to revise the Auctioneers Law to reflect changes in the industry.

Rest assured that I fully support the Agriculture industry in Ohio and the farmers that make it work. Learning more about Ohio's agriculture industry makes us more informed consumers, and provides our children with additional educational and employment opportunities over the years. Ohio's agriculture industry plays such a major role in our state's future, and by learning more, we can only make that future stronger.

Sen. John A. Carey, R-Wellston, represents Ohio’s 17th Senate District. Write to him at: Sen. John A. Carey, Ohio Senate, Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio 43215, or call (614) 466-8156.