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Ohio Farm Bureau’s Our Ohio program is a sponsor of the new traveling exhibit "Key Ingredients: America by Food," prepared by the Museum on Main Street division of the Smithsonian Institution and presented by the Ohio Humanities Council. The exhibit tour began with a statewide opening in Bowling Green on May 18 at the Wood County Historical Museum.

"Key Ingredients" explores the connections between Americans and the foods they produce, prepare, preserve and present at the table – a provocative and thoughtful look at the historical and contemporary social traditions that merge in everyday meals and celebrations.

Through a selection of artifacts, photographs and illustrations, "Key Ingredients" examines the evolution of the American kitchen and how food industries have responded to technological innovations that have enabled Americans to choose an ever-wider array of fresh, frozen and prepared foods. "Key Ingredients" also looks beyond the home to restaurants, diners and celebrations that help build a sense of community through food.

Our Ohio’s sponsorship came in the form of printing 25,000 copies of the booklet "Ohio by Food." Many local farm markets, festivals and other food related events are profiled in the booklet.

"This project seemed like a natural fit for us. The Ohio Humanities Council did an excellent job of capturing Ohio's food culture in the 'Ohio by Food' booklet. It was a nice opportunity for us to show support to a project with a mission similar to that of Our Ohio," said Pat Petzel, OFBF senior director of consumer communications.

"The exhibit itself is a simple explanation of our nation's food history and culture, from preparation and processing to Native American influences on agriculture and modern farm production. The project is also a nice opportunity to make some local connections between the county Farm Bureaus and the hosting organizations," she said.

"Key Ingredients: America by Food" will tour Ohio from May 18 through March 7, 2008. It is scheduled for Wood, Montgomery, Clermont, Knox, Fairfield, Champaign, Summit and Portage counties. These locations also are presenting special events and other local connections in conjunction with the exhibit that highlight a variety of native and immigrant cultures or feature community cookbooks, or antique agricultural and kitchen tools. Participating libraries are planning reading programs, book displays and potluck suppers. Farm Bureau members are encouraged to contact the local site representative for more information about how to participate.

For details about exhibit venues, including contact information and maps, go to www.ohiohumanities.org and click on the "Current Interest" page or call 800-293-9774.

Caption: Our Ohio is a sponsor of the Key Ingredients exhibit, which is currently on display in Bowling Green and moves to Dayton June 15. Photos courtesy of Smithsonian Institution