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by Joe Cornely

The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) has announced its support of Issue 1 that will appear on the November ballot. Farm Bureau's board of trustees concluded that Issue 1 will encourage overall economic development, allow agriculture to compete and carry out sound public policy that will benefit Ohio farmers, families, businesses and rural Ohio.

"The board didn’t take this discussion lightly. They put a lot of time into studying whether this issue fit within Farm Bureau policy and whether it was good for Ohio," said OFBF Executive Vice President Jack Fisher.

Called "Jobs for Ohio," Issue 1 would allow the state of Ohio to borrow $2 billion through the issuance of bonds. The money would fund three separate initiatives: $1.35 billion would continue local government infrastructure improvement programs; $150 million would be used to create "shovel-ready" industrial development sites, and $500 million would fund high-tech research and job creation efforts.

Farm Bureau’s position on Issue 1 has been a subject of interest to political leaders and the media because the high-tech portion was opposed by OFBF when it appeared on the ballot in 2003. The Third Frontier measure lost by a narrow two-point margin and was defeated in 66 of Ohio’s 70 predominantly rural counties.

Since then, OFBF has been heavily involved in the political process, Fisher said. "We’ve been working towards an alternative economic development plan the organization could support. You debate and negotiate, and what we have now is a whole new package compared to two years ago," he said.

A big difference, according to Fisher, is that OFBF was able to demonstrate to government leaders that agriculture fits in a high-tech economy. "Government leaders now understand that many of the scientific and technological advancements we’re anticipating will start on Ohio’s farms."

An example is the new BioProducts Innovation Center at Ohio State University, which will develop chemical conversion technologies to generate industrial products such as lubricants and adhesives from corn and soybeans grown in Ohio. The center was funded earlier this year by an $11.6 million Third Frontier grant.

Announcing the grant, Lt. Gov. Bruce Johnson, who also serves as director of the Ohio Department of Development and chair of the Third Frontier Commission, said "The Third Frontier doesn't make the other two frontiers, agriculture and manufacturing, obsolete, but strengthens them to help reclaim Ohio's culture of innovation."

That’s a welcome message, according to Fisher. "Farmers appreciate that their state government took the time to learn more about agriculture’s potential," he said.

Farm Bureau also likes that this version of the high-tech investment program invites greater involvement across the state and does not alter the constitution regarding government's direct investment in business ventures. Additionally, Fisher said the state board carefully examined how the bond debt would be serviced and concluded the plan met criteria spelled out in Farm Bureau policy.

Also important to Farm Bureau’s support of Issue 1 is the belief that many impediments to economic growth have been removed since 2003. Fisher said slowing state budget growth, reforming an outdated tax code and adopting civil justice reforms have been important achievements and have made it more likely new and existing businesses can succeed.

While media attention centered on Farm Bureau’s views about the high-tech portions of Issue 1, Fisher was quick to point out that the measure also will continue funding for local government infrastructure improvements such as roads and bridges and will fund "shovel ready" industrial development sites. Fisher sees these components, along with the high-tech portion, as tremendous opportunities to bolster the rural economy, county by county.

"Farm Bureau members need to get together right now with their local elected officials and ask what’s in this package for them -- how can they benefit from the economic development opportunities funded by Issue 1? OFBF is ready to help county Farm Bureau pass Issue 1 and then take advantage of what it offers," Fisher said.