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In an effort to develop an "agricultural agenda," OFBF coordinated an Ohio Agriculture Forum held last June during which officials from organizations representing agriculture from the farm to the table gathered to share ideas on issues that would unite the industry.

"We were trying something new by reaching out to the entire food production and processing sector in Ohio," explained Keith Stimpert, OFBF vice president of government affairs.

Organizers had hoped to "come out of this initial meeting with are some core, consensus issues that would form the basis of an Ohio agricultural agenda," according the Stimpert, who added that such an "agenda" would make agriculture’s collective message stronger.

In addition to discussing common issues, representatives of Ohio’s farm-to-table food industry also heard about consensus-building and the value of a unified policy message from Ohio State Political Science Professor Herb Asher.

Ohio Senate President Richard Finan also addressed the group and talked about his years serving in the state legislature.

Groups participating ranged from general farm organizations to commodity groups to the traditional industries that often align themselves with agriculture. Officials from local, state and federal agencies also attended, as did representatives of food-related companies.

Some common concerns addressed were labor availability, lawsuit abuse, excessive regulations, economic development and consumer education.

The forum is an on-going process. The group met again in mid-November to continue the dialogue and revise the "agricultural agenda" as needed.