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The public’s perception of animal agriculture is the focus of this year’s Ohio Livestock Coalition annual meeting. OLC members also will be taking a look at their own viewpoint of agriculture during the April 3 meeting, said Sandy Kuhn, OLC’s executive director.

"This is an opportunity to bring all commodity groups together to discuss the public’s perception of agriculture. The key is to make sure that everyone hears the same message," Kuhn said.

The meeting also will give members a chance to meet Kuhn, who was appointed OLC’s executive director earlier this year.

During the event, Ohio State University researcher Bill Flinn will discuss the results of a 2006 survey about consumers’ opinions and attitudes of agriculture. Results of a different survey involving Ohio producers’ viewpoints for 2007 also will be presented, as will a panel discussion on the impact of the biofuels movement on Ohio’s livestock industry.

Six Environmental Stewardship Awards will be presented honoring family farmers for protecting the environment and conserving natural resources. Neighbor of the Year Awards also will be presented to a livestock farmer and non-farm rural resident.

The meeting will be held at the Der Dutchman Restaurant and Conference Center in Plain City. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. with the symposium starting at 9:30 a.m. The registration fee is $30 per person if postmarked by March 23 and $40 if postmarked after March 23 or if attendees pay at the door. The fee includes lunch.

To obtain a registration form or for more information, call the OLC office at 614-246-8262, e-mail ahurst@ofbf.org or visit the group’s Web site at www.ohiolivestock.org.