Issue 2 Letter to the Editor

This letter was submitted to local papers today.

Dear Editor:

As the wife of a fourth-generation family farmer, I understand the importance of agriculture in our state. Therefore, voting yes for Ohio Issue 2 is imperative in order to protect an industry that contributes $93 billion annually to our state’s economy and that affords consumers with valuable options at the grocery store.

A yes vote for issue 2 on November 3, 2009, will create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board. This board will be comprised of 13 Ohioans, including the Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, three family farmers, two veterinarians, a food safety expert, a representative of a local humane society, two members representing statewide farm organizations, the dean of an Ohio agriculture college, and two consumers. These individuals will work together to assure a safe, locally grown food supply, to determine the best course of action for livestock care, and to protect the viability of Ohio agriculture. 

I value Ohio agriculture and support Ohio Issue 2. Like you, I appreciate the choices we have as consumers in selecting safe and wholesome food products for my family. By establishing a board of experts to make decisions for Ohio livestock production, we can ensure that the food we buy is grown as local as possible and is not shipped in from out of state or out of the country. Issue 2 is a step to protect our state’s family farmers and is a step to keep Ohio agriculture strong.

Ohio Issue 2 makes sense for family farmers and consumers alike. You can learn more about it at www.ohiolivestockcare.com. This is our time to take ownership of how our food is grown. Vote yes on November 3.

Sincerely,

Rose Hartschuh

Bloomville

Vote Yes for Issue 2!

September 9, 2009

Ohio’s Country Journal

http://www.ocj.com/article/154/twenty-reasons-to-vote-yes-for-state-issue-2.html 

COLUMBUS -- The Ohioans for Livestock Care Political Action Committee, proponents of State Issue 2 to create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, today released 20 reasons to vote YES for Issue 2 this fall.

The reasons include the following:

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 because it is Ohio's plan to ensure excellent care for animals and provide for a safe, high quality, locally grown food supply. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 because the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board will bring the best Ohio experts in animal care and food production together on one Board to set animal care policy for our state. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 to assure that Ohio families have a safe, reasonably priced, locally grown food supply and avoid making Ohio families dependent on foreign food supplies. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 to reinforce consumer confidence in Ohio-raised food. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 in order to maintain the strength and viability of Ohio agriculture -- the number one contributor to our state's economy. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 to sustain Ohio's family farms for generations to come. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 to keep decisions about Ohio livestock and poultry care where they belong--in Ohio. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 because it is the right choice for Ohio consumers, Ohio farmers and for Ohio's economic vitality. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 because it is important that changes suggested for the entire agriculture community be carefully considered by Ohio experts and supported by science, fact and data. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 because Ohio's agriculture community, along with other stakeholders in food production and elected leaders of both political parties believe the best regulations for animal care will be achieved when all interested parties join together to develop a framework that is both effective and practical for consumers and for farmers. The Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board is the right approach to reach that goal. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2. The Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board will set standards for livestock and poultry care that take into account issues of: best farm management practices, animal morbidity and mortality data, food safety and local availability and affordability of food. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2. The Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board will be made up of 13 Ohioans. These individuals will apply their broad expertise in making decisions affecting Ohio animal agriculture. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2. The director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture will serve as chair of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board. Ten members will be appointed to the Board by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. These 10 members shall be Ohio residents and shall include the following: a family farmer, a veterinarian who is licensed in the state, the state veterinarian at the Ohio Department of Agriculture, a food safety expert, a representative of a county humane society that is organized under state law, two members from statewide farm organizations, the dean of an Ohio agriculture college or university and two members of the public representing Ohio consumers. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 because it allows the people of Ohio to vote for an Ohio solution to animal care issues -- one that puts the decision making for livestock care and local food production in the hands of Ohio consumers and Ohio experts in farming, animal well-being and food safety. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2. Because issues addressed on Issue 2 are top-of-mind with Ohio consumers, proponents agreed that an Ohio solution should be directly voted upon, rather than enacted by the legislature. In this way, state officials will know there is a broad public support for Ohio's collaborative approach to resolving animal care issues. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2. Healthy animals are a prerequisite to producing safe, wholesome, high-quality foods. In addition to the moral imperative of treating animals humanely, Ohio livestock and poultry farmers have long known that disease, stress and injury to animals result in loss of product and lower profits. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2. Livestock farmers understand the complex responsibilities of today's modern livestock farming and chief among them is ensuring the best animal care possible. Their livelihood will always depend on healthy animals in order to provide quality, safe food for consumers. That's why Ohio farmers are affirming this commitment by supporting a statewide regulatory framework for livestock and poultry care. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2. Ohio farmers strongly support the proposal to create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board because it will ensure animal care is top of mind for all farmers and keep regulatory control of Ohio's farms where it belongs--in the state. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2. Ohio consumers and farmers oppose decisions that are not made by qualified experts and that do not put all the facts, science and data on the table. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2. Through Issue 2 farmers are taking an unprecedented lead in the nation. Being responsive to the consumers they serve, Ohio farmers are taking a proactive stance to provide for informed, responsible decisions about food and animal care issues in the state through creation of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board. 

To learn more about the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, to volunteer on the Issue 2 campaign, to donate, or to talk with a local farmer, please visit www.ohiolivestockcare.com.

DISCLAIMER: Paid for by Ohioans for Livestock Care Political Action Committee,
John C. Fisher, Treasurer, 280 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43215
www.OhioLivestockCare.com

What is a farmer?

Lately, I've been pondering the question, "What is a farmer?" Though it seems pretty self-explanatory on the surface (duh- someone who farms!), on a deeper level, there's much more to it. It's hard to put into words the dedication, the emotion, the determination, and the passion that makes up a farmer. Farming, you see, is not just about making a living, it's about a way of life, and it's about a inner-commitment that runs blood-deep. Though I don't claim to be a poet, here's an acrostic poem I've put together to summarize my views on the topic.

Failing at times, but always vowing to do better on the next go-round.

Attributing all success to the Maker above.

Rarely taking time for himself, but always devoting it to others.

Making the world a better place by providing safe and affordable products.

Eagerly working, trying to leave a better place for the next generation.

Raising the standards of care for the crops and animals entrusted to him.

Yes, I realize this is cheesy, but alas, it's just a small tribute to the thousands of men and women who work day in and day out to produce food and clothing for us. What is a farmer to you?

$5 milk?!

Maybe you’ve heard the latest sensational news: milk could cost $5 a gallon by the end of the summer. Scary, huh? Chalk it up to the economy, the ethanol craze, or whatever reason one can fabricate to blame. Nonetheless, these even a more frightening reality at heart: the poor state of the dairy industry today. While you might pay $5 at the grocery store, only a fraction of that goes to the dairy farmer.

So, let’s figure up just how much the farmer is receiving per gallon. Before we do that, here’s a quick description of how milk is marketed. Dairy producers are paid per the “hundred-weight,” or per one hundred pounds of milk. There are 8.7 pounds of milk in one gallon. Currently, to make the math a little easier, we’ll round up and say that class three milk (fluid milk- the good stuff you buy in the plastic jugs) is going for $10 a hundredweight. Breaking that down, here’s an approximation of what the farmer is getting for a gallon of milk:

.87 __$__   =   __$10__   x   __8.7lbs__

        gal          100lbs             1gal

That’s right, for every gallon of milk you buy at the grocery store, a whopping 87 cents goes to the farmer. Where does the rest go? The supermarket’s pocket, the processor gets a cut, and you can’t forget the trucking company. Worse yet, though you may be paying $5 for a gallon of milk this summer, the futures market shows only a slight increase in the farmer’s share. Therefore, there will be larger profits for everyone except the farmer.

Now, not to continue to be a bearer of bad news, but that 87 cents isn’t even profit for the farmer. Far from it. By the time you take out labor costs, feed costs, cow healthcare, and other overhead costs, many dairy farmers are barely sliding by. They are using profits from past years to ride out the wave of losing money this year.

So, what can be done to solve this crisis in the dairy industry? We wish we knew. For now, it’s a matter of riding it on good management practices and doing more with less until the markets come around.

Farming- It's Not a 9 to 5 Job

The past couple of weeks, we have been reminded that farming is not for the faint of heart or for those that enjoy sleep, for that matter! Early mornings, late nights, and go-go-go in between are necessary to get the crops into the ground in a timely fashion. Since Mother Nature only provides limited windows with the right conditions, like any woman, the schedule is on her terms.

Memorial Day weekend, while many of you were enjoying cookouts and were lounging beside the pool, you might have noticed the number of tractors scurrying down the road. Farming, you see, isn't a nine to five job. It doesn't take holidays, and it quits when the job is done, not when the daylight runs out. The work ethic of American farmers is second to none. I was both amazed and impressed when during the peak of planting season, Greg would leave the house a little before 6am, not to return again until after 11p. Not only was he planting crops, but he was also feeding cows, fixing equipment, and dealing with other issues that arose. And, you know what? He's not the exception. Farmers everyday balance the same workload. 

Unfortunately, the weather didn't hold until planting was finished. The rain got to us right before the soybeans hit the ground. That means this week has been a little more relaxed, but rest assured, as soon as the fields dry up some, they'll be at it again. So, the next time you're driving down the road cussing at the tractor driving 10mph in front of you, have a little respect knowing that their job isn't all lollipops and sunshine. :) 

Greg checks seed levels in the boxes on the planter. It's important to make sure there is always enough in the boxes, or he could have to replant the rows where the seed ran out. 

Planting crops requires lot of concentration. The tractor and planter together weigh 10 tons, which means you really don't want to mess up! Also, there are about 5 controls to run at a time, in addition to steering. Multitasking is a must!

The sun is going down, but Greg is still planting. If the weather is right, farmers don't want to miss their windows of opportunity to get the crops in the ground!