ag-related bills pass in Ohio House and senate Ohio legislators have been hard at
work on a number of agriculture related issues. Two bills moved quickly last month on their journey to the governor’s desk for a signature. Senate Bill 281gives Ohio farmers an
expanded opportunity to receive reduced-interest loans to offset their operating expenses with the Ag Link program. The bill passed unanimously in the Ohio Senate. “That bill would increase the amount
the state treasury sets aside each year for the program from $125 million to $165 million. It would also increase the amount that can be loaned to an appli- cant from $100,000 to $150,000,” said Beth Vanderkooi, with the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. Another ag-related bill with strong sup-
port from lawmakers was House Bill 276 that clarifies the definition of agriculture as it pertains to Ohio zoning laws for on-farm
energy production facilities. This would include on-farm anaerobic digesters — a change that will enable farmers to use byproducts for bio-energy production without cumbersome regulations that cur- rently deter this environmentally friendly activity. The bill also defines algaculture — the farming of algae — in the Ohio Revised Code, clarifying it as an agricultural process under Ohio law. State Representative Jim Buchy (R-
Greenville) and State Senator Lou Gentile (D-Steubenville) announced that the Ohio House of Representatives voted to concur with the Senate amendments on House Bill 276. The bill will now become law pending the signature of Governor Kasich. “The combination of on-farm energy
production and algaculture will reduce nutrient run-off from our farms,” Buchy said. “Using the products we have avail- able at our farms will solve problems that occur when there is a shortage of storage
Merrigan announced that USDA has select- ed 298 recipients in 44 states and Puerto Rico to receive business development assis- tance through the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program. Six Ohio agri-businesses were among
the awardees, including Wood County’s Egg Tech Ltd., Pickaway County’s Van Strohm Fiber Processing Mill, Auburn Twin Oaks Winery in Chagrin Falls, The Ohio Soybean Council in Worthington, Mercer Landmark in Celina, and Loudonville’s Tea
Hills Gourmet Meat Products. “USDA’s Value-Added Producer
for farm byproducts, hence assisting farm- ers with manure management programs.” Among the amendments included by
the Ohio Senate is the creation of a legisla- tive task force to study the use and impact of anaerobic digesters, including how they are regulated in other states, their environ- mental impact, and how state laws govern- ing them affect agriculture, residents and local government. “The creation of an anaerobic digester
task force will allow policy makers to con- tinue shaping a public policy to benefit farming opportunities that help the envi- ronment,” Gentile said. “The potential for the expansion of the digester industry and algae industry in this state is expansive. This is about jobs, and the outcome of these policy changes will result in more jobs for this state.” Algae thrive off phosphorous and
other minerals along with heat. These components will all be available on farms
six Ohio agribusinesses receive usDa grants Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen
Grants acknowledge the entrepreneurial spirit of Ohio’s farming and small busi- ness communities,” said Tony Logan, USDA Ohio Rural Development state director. “This money provides working capital to support emerging mar- kets in areas such as food production and safety, environmental impact and renew- able energy. We at Rural Development are proud to play such a positive role in strengthening Ohio’s economy.”
As an example, Loudonville’s Tea Hills
Gourmet Meat Products will use its $178,062 grant to expand the family’s pop- ular line of gourmet sausages. In addition to meat raised on its own farmland, Tea Hills draws on locally sourced produce, organic seasonings and quality cheese to make its signature sausage products. The Value-Added Producer Grant will allow Tea Hills to cut its working capital expenses by 50 percent for three years, promoting growth and potentially adding employees. The Value-Added Producer Grants total
as a result of evolving technology. When harvested from controlled and natural water sources, algae can be turned into fuels, plastics, pharmaceuticals and many other products. House Bill 276 will allow farmers to use
anaerobic digesters as a part of a nutrient management plan or to consume any other agricultural organic byproduct. Up to 50% of the feedstock for the digester may origi- nate from off-farm production processes. The advancements of algaculture and anaerobic digesters are expected to aid in the cleanup of Ohio water and protect nat- ural habitats by aiding in the removal of phosphorous and other nutrients. “With these changes to the Ohio
Revised Code, farmers throughout Ohio will be able to expand their business to the new frontiers of agriculture,” Buchy said. “It will also significantly aid our communi- ties in keeping unwanted nutrients out of Grand Lake St. Marys.”
more than $40.2 million. Funds may be used for feasibility studies or business plans, working capital for marketing value- added agricultural products and for farm- based renewable energy projects. Eligible applicants include independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives, agricul- tural producer groups, and majority-con- trolled producer-based business ventures. Value-added products are created when a producer increases the consumer value of an agricultural commodity in the produc- tion or processing stage.
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Ohio’s Country Journal •
ocj.com • March 2012 • News 9
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