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by Annie Cunningham

Gov. Bob Taft only got to see one field of soybeans and corn during a scheduled drought tour – but that was more than enough to show him how bad this year’s drought really was for Ohio farmers.

Taft was scheduled to visit farms in Putnam and Hancock counties and take part in a fly-over of seven counties on Oct. 2. However, because of heavy fog, Taft was only able to tour the fields of Neil and Laura Clark, Hancock County Farm Bureau members.

During the tour, Taft was accompanied by Jack Fisher, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation executive vice president; Larry Adams, Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director; Jim Buchy, Ohio Department of Agriculture assistant director; and Rep. Mike Gilb, R-Findlay.

Many farmers from the state came to the Clark farm to hear what Taft and other state agencies could do to help them. Many said they expect to lose 60 to 70 percent of their crop.

After seeing first-hand the plight of Clark’s crops, Taft said it gave him "renewed determination to push the federal government on both a disaster declaration and a total disaster package."

Taft has requested the U.S. Department of Agriculture declare 85 of Ohio’s 88 counties disaster areas. However, he fully expects all counties to be designated when the application process is complete. This designation would give farmers low-interest emergency loans through FSA to compensate for lost crop revenue.

Clark reminded state officials the loans only cover crop expenses, and many farmers will not make a profit this year once all the bills are paid.

Adams reminded the farmers record keeping is important when applying for financial assistance.

Fisher and Taft encouraged farmers to continue to contact them about the drought and the status of their crops.

Gary Wilson, Hancock County Extension agent, said corn and soybean yields will run about neck and neck this year. Many farmers switched from corn to beans when they couldn’t get in the fields because of rain this spring. It is estimated yields will be 40 to 60 percent less than average years.

"I thought I never wanted to see a year as bad as 1988 – well, now I don’t want to see a year as bad as 2002 ever again," Clark said

When talking about his respect for farmers, Taft said, "There’s nothing that takes more courage and guts when you’re more at risk."

While reflecting on the frustration farmers are feeling, Clark noted that the nature of the business kept his son from staying on the family operation. "You can’t control the weather, government or the markets," Clark said.

Taft said educating the public about the importance of agriculture and society’s dependence on agriculture is the industry’s best way to stay alive. Fisher said education is a major goal of Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.

"We need to keep farmers in business one way or another," Taft said. ". . . If we don’t support our farmers, there’s a price to pay."

Cutline: Neil Clark (front left) shows Gov. Bob Taft the pathetic ears of corn his fields produced as a result of the drought. Jim Buchy, ODA assistant director, (back left) and Jack Fisher, OFBF executive vice president, (back right) look on.