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A new governor won't be elected until November 2006, but OFBF and other key agricultural representatives are already starting to draft agricultural policy.

About two dozen OFBF staff members, representatives of Ohio's agricultural community and several lawmakers or their aides met July 19 to discuss the current climate of agriculture and where it needs to go.

"We want to keep agriculture's message in the forefront of the gubernatorial race," said Keith Stimpert, OFBF's vice president of government affairs. "We all share a passion for agriculture. Now we need to answer the question: 'What would an agricultural platform look like?'"

Stimpert and Rocky Black, OFBF's director of legislative affairs, helped guide the discussion before the group met with Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Petro who outlined some of his campaign issues that deal directly with agriculture. The other Republicans who have announced their candidacy are Ohio Auditor Betty Montgomery and Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell. Announced Democratic candidates are U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland and Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman.

The goal is to also meet with the other gubernatorial candidates, Black said.

"We have offered to do this with every candidate," he said. "This is a great opportunity to fulfill the policy role for the gubernatorial candidates.

During the two-hour meeting, several agricultural leaders gave updates of their industries to help the group start to draft its agricultural policy for the gubernatorial race. Some of the areas that the group talked about included the perception of agriculture in an increasingly urban Ohio, cutting-edge research that benefits agriculture, the importance of maintaining the state's livestock industry and the need for renewable energy such as ethanol and biodiesels.

"Agriculture is a driving industry and a futuristic industry," said Bobby Moser, dean of Ohio State University's College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, while describing some of the new technology being developed that use agricultural products.

The group talked at length about the public's concerns about concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and emphasized to lawmakers that Ohio already has a strong and effective CAFO regulatory process.

"As a grain producer, I look at the livestock industry as one of my biggest customers, and I look after them. If we lose the livestock industry, then I lose my livelihood," said Terry McClure, a Paulding County farmer who is on Nationwide's board of trustees.

Judy Loudenslager, an OFBF board member, told Petro he could help by making people aware of agriculture's strengths.

"You can help us by helping us tell our story," she said.

Petro said he wasn't in favor of any CAUV changes and emphasized the need for Ohio to spell out when land can be taken by eminent domain.

"The government should have some control but not to enrich the community through tax receipts," he said.

OFBF board member Bill Lowe talked about how Ohio's restrictive tax structure has driven away business for years. Recently approved tax reforms are aimed at drawing business to Ohio but more needs to be done, he said.

"We feel what is good for the farmer is good for Ohioans," he said.

The government needs to be less restrictive and more responsive to agriculture, said state Rep. Jim Aslanides, R-Coshocton.

"This is a very powerful room," he told the group. "I'm impressed how well agriculture is embraced in a mostly urban state, and that's because of what you do."

Caption: Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Petro talks to OFBF and agricultural leaders.