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The Jackson-Vinton County Farm Bureau helped organize a tractor convoy in a very visible display of support for the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center’s research farm in Jackson.

More than 40 county Farm Bureau members and landowners showed up with tractors, trailers and wagons on April 1 for a Jackson County commissioners meeting. Commissioners are debating whether to renew the 40-year lease for the Ohio State University research farm.

Two out of three commissioners are opposed to renewing the lease, which is currently $1 a year and expires next year, said Kim Harless, organization director for Jackson-Vinton, Pike and Scioto counties. She said there has always been a standing lease and agreement between OARDC and Jackson County but said that agreement is in jeopardy with the appointment of two new commissioners.

Ohio State University has said for the past couple of years that it was concerned that county commissioners would view the 360 acres as more valuable for future commercial development.

The county Farm Bureau, in conjunction with the local Farmers Club, decided to show its support for renewing the lease because current policy supports OARDC, Harless said. Not only did the convoy of farmers and landowners converge at a Jackson parking lot but many attended the commissioners meeting and spoke about the value of research done by the research farm. Also speaking at the meeting was Steven Slack, OARDC’s director.

The truck convoy and commissioners meeting was covered by local newspapers, radio and a TV station in West Virginia.

Caption: Jackson-Vinton County Farm Bureau members and landowners showed their support for renewing the lease for the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development’s research farm by driving tractors and trucks into town and attending a Jackson County commissioners meeting. Photo courtesy of Jackson-Vinton Farm Bureau