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"Social Issues Impacting Animal Agriculture" will be the theme for the fifth annual Ohio Livestock Coalition’s (OLC) annual meeting scheduled Feb. 20 at the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s (ODA) Bromfield Administration Building in Reynoldsburg. Registration will begin at 9 a.m.

Keynote speaker will be Paul Lasley, professor of rural sociology at Iowa State University. "Dr. Lasley has a credible and diverse background in dealing with these issues. His experience … will help guide us as we go about addressing similar challenges and opportunities here in Ohio," according to David White, OLC executive director.

Also part of the morning program will be Bryan Black, a pork producer from Canal Winchester; Tom Price, livestock producer from Delaware; Jeff Sharp, rural sociologist at the Ohio State University; and Marilyn Baker, director of community alliances for the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.

Black and Price will share pro-active measures livestock producers may consider to avoid community conflict. Such measures have been developed and implemented by both producers on their family farms in response to change occurring in their communities. Sharp and Baker will discuss issues, challenges and opportunities relevant to the symposium’s theme. A wrap-up to the morning program will include a panel discussion with the five morning speakers.

The symposium’s afternoon program will include recognition of Sen. Larry Mumper, R-Marion, and members of ODA’s rules advisory committee for its Livestock Environmental Permitting Program (LEPP). Kevin Elder, LEPP director, will give an update on proposed rules for transferring permitting for large livestock and poultry operations from Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to ODA.

Reservations for the meeting are required by Feb. 13. A registration fee, which includes a barbecue lunch catered by Hoggy’s Restaurant, morning refreshments and presentation materials, is $25 per person if received by Feb. 13. To make reservations or for more information, contact OLC at 614-249-2435 or e-mail dwhite@ofbf.org

The OLC was formed in 1997. Its mission is to provide assistance to Ohio’s livestock, poultry and dairy producers by expanding their positive contributions to the Buckeye State using economically viable, socially acceptable and environmental-friendly methods.