The Ohio State University President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. visited Ohio Farm Bureau President Bill Patterson and his family at their farm, Patterson Fruit Farm, near Chesterland, Ohio, July 23, 2024, as part of President Carter’s tour of Ohio agriculture. President Carter emphasized the importance of the partnership between The Ohio State University and Ohio Farm Bureau for more than 100 years.
“The state of Ohio is one of the centerpieces of agriculture in our country,” said Carter. “Our place with the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences is a centerpiece for all of our Extension offices to help farmers be more efficient.”
Carter acknowledged the importance of agricultural research amid the rapid adoption of technology in agriculture. The university and the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences are making several large investments in the infrastructure of the Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory, including the Multispecies Animal Learning Center. The MALC is “going to be more than just a lab facility for research for our students. It’s going to also involve K-12, so that’s going to be really exciting. We will be introducing a new dairy laboratory as well, replacing our 1972 dairy facility,” Carter said.
The MALC is expected to open in the Fall of 2025 and the new dairy facility will open in the summer of 2025. These two new facilities will join the Controlled Environment Food Production Research Complex at the Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory.
To grow a network and gain perspective and knowledge in the industry through personal and professional development has been invaluable. Every day I learn and grow.
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
