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by Natalie Walston

It's tradition for Ohio governors to hold a sleepover at the Ohio State Fair, waking up at the crack of dawn to help muck a stall or milk the cows and donning a cowboy hat to welcome visitors.

Gubernatorial candidates also recognize it's important to stump for the farm vote long before they'll lay down a sleeping bag and pick up a pitchfork.

The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) has been working with Democratic candidate Congressman Ted Strickland and Republican candidate Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell to ensure they understand the farm vote is very important.

"One of OFBF's goals for 2006 is informed voting for effective government," said OFBF Executive Vice President Jack Fisher. "Part of our corporate goal is to make all candidates aware of agriculture, agribusiness and issues in rural Ohio as it pertains to our quality of life and economic output."

Both Blackwell and Strickland were invited to OFBF's Leadership Conference on Aug. 23 to speak to a farm audience of several hundred Farm Bureau leaders to better inform members of where the two candidates stand on key issues. It was also a chance for both to introduce themselves to a captive audience.

Strickland, who married the daughter of a dairy farmer, connected to OFBF members by recalling his own rural upbringing in Scioto County.

"I'm one of the few members of the House of Representatives who plowed the earth behind horses," he said.

Blackwell has been a successful businessman and politician, having been the mayor of his hometown of Cincinnati and state treasurer and secretary of state.

He said he's had farmers question his understanding of rural issues, given his background in urban settings. One farmer asked Blackwell several years ago if he knew the difference between straw and hay.

"Last time I checked it was $1.87," Blackwell said.

In addition to allowing the gubernatorial candidates time at OFBF conferences, Farm Bureau has also contributed to both campaigns, is planning and coordinating on-farm fund raisers and working to develop and advance the agriculture agenda with both Strickland and Blackwell, according to OFBF Director of Constituent Action Marc Armstrong.

OFBF recently hosted both candidates on separate days at the Ohio State Fair where some day one of them might rest his head. Fairgoers got to shake their hands and show off their livestock in front of Strickland and Blackwell and commodity group leaders who helped the candidates tour the grounds.

And some were able to walk away with "Farmers for Strickland" and "Farmers for Blackwell" bumper stickers.

But the real test of whether candidates connected with farmers will come Nov. 7 at the polls. To read more on the candidates' platforms and backgrounds, look for OFBF's election guide in your mailbox before you vote.

Caption: To illustrate his point about changing our vision, Chad Hymas brought Pioneer Region Supervisor Melissa Bell on stage to play the role of Melanie, Hymas’ former high school classmate. Hymas and his friends mocked Melanie, who was disabled, before their vision changed and Melanie became their friend and school hero.