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Representatives from interested food and agriculture organizations, educational entities, business and governmental agencies met in November to finalize plans for the formation of the Ohio Food and Agriculture Forum. The informal group is meeting to develop an "Agricultural Agenda" that will be shared with lawmakers and other state and federal regulatory personnel. This was the second time the group met.

After breaking into groups to discuss areas of concern, participants decided upon a name (Ohio Food and Agriculture Forum) and a purpose for the group: To promote a dialog among interested Ohio agribusinesses; to develop consensus on public policy; and to develop and implement programs/activities to advance a common Ohio food and agricultural agenda to consumers, elected officials, regulatory agencies, media and others.

The group decided on other general guidelines including that forum activities would be coordinated by the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, that the group would meet at least twice a year; and that the six areas of common concern were consumer interests, economic development, energy policy, labor availability and skill levels, lawsuit abuse and regulatory reform.

Many participants emphasized that participation in the forum was open to any entity with an interest in food and agricultural policy.

OFBF Executive Vice President Jack Fisher asked the group to collectively work on these issues as one voice for Ohio agriculture. "If we can do that, we’re really going to accomplish something," he said.

For more information about the Ohio Food and Agriculture Forum, contact Keith Stimpert at 614-246-8250 or e-mail kstimper@ofbf.org