March 2008 eNewsletter

Welcome to OurOhio.org

Are You a Horse Enthusiast?
With the possible exception of Mother and Country, few things garner such intense loyalty as that of horse enthusiasts’ devotion to their animals. It’s an intense affection for a creature that has been by man’s side – or underside – for centuries. And it’s an animal that’s becoming more and more of a part of today’s landscape in Ohio.

The 15th Annual Equine Affaire will be held at the Ohio Expo Center and will have something to offer to horse enthusiasts of all ages, all breed persuasions, all levels of expertise and all equine disciplines. Click here for more information on this event.

To learn about the relationship between people and horses, click here. Also, watch the video on this page from the Quarter Horse Congress, yet another equine event held in Ohio each year. Answer the trivia question below to win 2 free tickets to the 15th Annual Equine Affaire, April 10-13 in Columbus.

Our Ohio trivia
How did Quarter Horses get their name?

Email your answer to info@ourohio.org.

The first six correct respondents will receive 2 free tickets to the 15th Annual Equine Affaire.

Quaint Cottage Gardens

Nothing surpasses the charm of a cottage garden, with its delightful colors, fragrances and textures. Cottage gardens are friendly spaces that invite visitors to slow down and indulge in their beauty, while the bees and other insects that enjoy them move with haste from flower to flower.

The concept of a cottage garden has evolved from rather humble beginnings. The best cottage gardens appear to be haphazard where nature takes over, but are in fact well-planned plots of land.

Cottage gardens are a mix of fruit trees, vegetables, perennials, self-sowing annuals, and bulbs. What plants do American gardeners need to make a cottage garden? This varies from state to state, but in Ohio, gardeners should look for plants that will survive in our conditions, from heavy clay soils to the humidity of the summer. Click here for a list of suggestions.

Images From the Land

In Shelby County, agriculture is king and one of the community’s most valued assets. The families who operate the farms, and the community’s supporting businesses, exemplify the virtues that society holds in high regard: hard work, strong values and personal responsibility.

Photographer Pat Elsass has captured more than 6,000 photographic images of Shelby County agriculture, focusing on seven farm families, all Farm Bureau members. The images have been combined into a pictorial review and will be shown at two special concerts “Images from the Land” performed by the Sidney Civic Band.

The concert and imagery will give the audience a behind the scenes look at agriculture and the families that make their living from the land. The free concert will take place March 29 and 30 at Sidney High School. Click here for other details, and to see more images.

Our Ohio Television Series

The Our Ohio television series, airing on public television stations around the state, takes viewers across Ohio to meet the faces and visit the places that touch our values, culture, heritage and much more.

Stations airing Our Ohio can be found by clicking here.

Coming up next on Our Ohio
Our Ohio visits The Ohio State University's Food Science College; Champaign Springs in Urbana; the Red Brick Tavern on the National Road and Holmes County to experience the world's largest Amish community. Also, Doc Sanders gives some tips on buying horses, and Jeff Gage visits Leeners where he learns how to make his own cheese.

Click here for complete episode descriptions and schedules.

Is there a person or place you would like to see highlighted on the show? Email your story ideas to info@ourohio.org.

Crime Fighting Now
Pays Even More

For more than 20 years, Ohio Farm Bureau has offered a property protection reward to Farm Bureau members and nonmembers who provide information that leads to the arrest and conviction of people who commit arson, malicious injury to property, burglary and other felonies on a member’s property. It is also paid for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons stealing an Ohio Farm Bureau member’s car, truck, tractor or self-propelled equipment.

Effective Jan. 1, Ohio Farm Bureau, in conjunction with Nationwide Insurance, boosted the reward from $1,500 to $2,500. Last year, citizens received the reward for their actions that led to the recovery of a stolen miniature horse and the arrest of golf course vandals and a house burglar. To find out how to get involved in this program, click here.

Portion Sizes

Twenty years ago a blueberry muffin was 1.5 ounces and had 140 calories. Today’s muffin has grown to a whopping 5 ounces and 500 calories, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. A 130-pound person would have to vacuum 1 ½ hours to burn the calorie difference, according to the health department.

March Recipe Highlight

Tomato Basil Squares
1 package (10 ounces) refrigerated pizza dough
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 garlic clove, pressed
4 to 5 plum tomatoes, seeded, thinly sliced

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sprinkle a little flour on a large cookie sheet. Press out dough to within 1 inch of the edge. Very lightly oil crust. In a medium bowl combine 1 cup mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, basil, mayonnaise and garlic. Mix well. Spread mixture over lightly oiled crust. Place thinly sliced tomatoes in a single layer over the mixture. Sprinkle the second cup of mozzarella cheese over the tomato slices. Bake 20 minutes; top will be light brown. Serve warm. Click here for other appetizer options.

Test drive a Farm Bureau membership today!

Ohio Farm Bureau is offering an introductory membership for new members. For $35, new members can experience Farm Bureau and all its member benefits for 2008. To join, visit www.GrowWithFB.org or call 888-GrowWithFB (888-476-9948).