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Marion County Farm Bureau celebrated National Ag Day by feeding more than 1,650 people at its annual Farmer’s Share Breakfast at Tri-Rivers Career Center.

More than 50 Marion County Farm Bureau volunteers helped set up, cook and serve 300 dozen eggs, 200 pounds of pancake mix and 1,700 sausage patties while educating the patrons about agriculture.

Customers were charged only 50 cents for the breakfast – approximately the farmer’s profit from such a breakfast even if it’s sold for eight times that or more in grocery stores and restaurants. While visiting the center, patrons could get information and visit with representatives of Marion County Farm Bureau, the local corn growers association, fruit and vegetable growers and Ohio Soybean Council. Farm Bureau’s new young driver safety video, "Gimme the Keys, Please!", ran throughout the morning. Patrons also sat at tables covered with placemats with facts about corn. Youngster Bailey Higgins said she enjoyed the breakfast and "didn’t know corn syrup was in toothpaste."

Organization Director Korre Boyer said in the 10 years the county has held the event it has grown and become more popular. "Last year more than 1,400 people came, so we bested that amount by 250 this year," he said. "It was a huge success, and the members went above and beyond the call of duty to make it happen. With so many people so removed from agriculture and farming, these types of events become more important to educate them on where their food and fiber come from."

OFBF State Trustee Don Ralph said the message of food affordability was only a portion of the event’s goal. "It’s important for the people in agriculture to know the customers and for the customers to know and trust us. We worked hard to forge a partnership with our community with the breakfast."

Partnering with Marion County Farm Bureau to make the event a success were Tri-Rivers Career Center, General Mills – Martel, Krogers, Mid-Ohio Energy Co-op, Ohio Fresh Eggs, FFA chapters and Buckeye Country 107 WMRN FM.