May 2008 eNewsletter

Welcome to OurOhio.org

Food or Fuel?
It’s been said that the food versus fuel conflict – the debate over whether there is enough corn for both ethanol and food production – is really a conflict between perception and reality. On one hand, the logic seems intuitive. More of the nation’s corn crop has shifted to the production of renewable fuels such as ethanol. This increased demand for corn has raised livestock feed prices. Therefore, people assume the price of meat, milk and eggs is rising.

But that’s only part of the story, said Adam Sharp, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation senior director of national and regulatory affairs.

“It’s true food prices have increased. But unfortunately, a dairy farmer doesn’t have the luxury of putting up a sign at the end of the driveway that says I’m charging $5 a gallon for my milk today,” he said. For more on this issue, click here.

Dynamic Youth Needed

Junior high and teen students ages 11 to 18 are invited to join together for an exciting, life-changing experience in a unique summer leadership program. Each of the four events provides opportunities for youths to build quality leadership, teamwork and communications skills in noncompetitive ways.

Quest: Ages 11 to 13 & Ignite: Ages 12 to 14.
Focus on self-esteem, relational and communication skills.

Higher Ground: Ages 14 and older.
Allows youths to experience a hands-on mock legislature and develop business skills to help them to lead.

The Edge: Ages 15 and older.
Provides youths with focused teambuilding and communication skills that help them serve as effective leaders in high school while preparing them for success in college and life.

The conferences are sponsored by Ohio Farm Bureau. For more information and to register, contact a local Farm Bureau office.

Other Upcoming Events

North Market Apron Gala: May 17, 2008
Hours: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: North Market, 59 Spruce Street, Columbus
Contact Phone #: (614) 463-9664
http://www.northmarket.com

Attendees enjoy an exclusive glimpse of the North Market in this after-hours affair. Guests are invited to meander around the market and enjoy an abundant array of specialty appetizer, entree and dessert samples representing the specialties of each North Market merchant. As the title of the event implies, all in attendance are encouraged to wear their favorite apron or create one in honor of the gala. Best male and female aprons will be selected and all guests wearing an apron will be entered into a drawing for a special prize. For more information on the event and to purchase tickets click here.

Spring Garden Festival : May 18, 2008
Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Findlay Market Farm Shed, 1801 Race St. Cincinnati
Contact Phone #: (513) 665-4839
http://www.findlaymarket.org

Our Ohio Chef Pierre Wolfe will conduct a cooking demonstration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Other activities include Plein Air Artists, Tai Chi demonstrations, displays from the Greater Cincinnati Master Gardeners Association, Boone County Arboretum, Civic Garden Center, Cincinnati Horticultural Society, Nutrition Consultant/Lifestyle Coach Jennifer Woods, and Hamilton County Solid Waste Management; food and craft vendors and various bedding plants, perennials and other items for the garden. The event is free and open to the public.


Columbus Rose Festival : June 14, 2008 - June 15, 2008
Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Location: Columbus Park of Roses, 3923 N. High St.
Contact Phone #: (614) 645-3300
http://www.columbusrecparks.com

The Columbus Rose Festival celebrates beauty, nature and the environment with a rose show, educational exhibits and workshops on plant care and floral design. The host site, the Park of Roses, contains 11,000 rose bushes, along with specialized herb, perennial and daffodil gardens. Event is free.

To see the entire list of upcoming events, click here and if you have an event you would like to list, click here.

'Bee' Liberated

Bee allergies can make the garden an intimidating place. Even the most dedicated gardener would be afraid to step foot in the garden in defiance of a frightening bee allergy. It is important to remember though, that bees are a significant part of our environment and need to be treated with respect and some distance. Especially in light of the mysterious decline in their numbers, it must be stated that bees are vital pollinators and their well-being should be fostered. Nevertheless, avoidance of these necessary insects is crucial for some, even for gardeners who are aware of the critical role they play.

Click here for some suggestions on how to keep your garden bee free and learn more about pollination.

The Long Road Home

Described as a “serial expatriate,” Warren Seymour has made his home in Italy, the British Isles and most recently the South of France. But something inside the former pilot and aviation entrepreneur was driving him to be closer to the land. Perhaps it was fate, then, that the woman he had met halfway around the world, and eventually married, had come from a place called Kidron, Ohio.

To say Kidron is merely a one-horse town would be a mistake. In fact, the 65-foot hitching post at a hardware store in this Wayne County Amish community can accommodate many more. A farm a few miles away proved the perfect place for Seymour to start a new life, to raise a daughter with his wife, Angela, and to reconnect with the land.

“My wife’s dream is to have this as a fiber farm,” said Seymour. “My dream is to have a vineyard and winery.”

Click here to learn about how the couple is fulfilling both of their dreams.

Summer Reach Out Series

Farm Bureau members ages 18 to 35 and their immediate families are invited to share and explore their interests in food production and technology during Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s (OFBF) new Summer Reach Out series.

“This is a great volunteer- and schedule-friendly opportunity for young people to come together for a learning experience with their family and others who share their interests,” said OFBF Director of Volunteer Development Darrell Rubel.

Two events of interest include the Pork and Poultry Tour and Down on the Farm with Bob Evans. Click here for a list of all Summer Reach Out events.

Pork and Poultry Tour, June 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Tour Cooper Farms’ facility in Mercer County and enjoy a meal served by the farm. Beverages and snacks will be available on the tour bus. Registration deadline is June 6.

Down on the Farm with Bob Evans, Aug. 16, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Tour the original Bob Evans Farm in Rio Grande, complete with a cattle facility and the Bob Evans Homestead Museum. Bob Evans will sponsor a sausage patty dinner complete with bluegrass music. Registration deadline is Aug. 1.

Registration is a flat, total fee of $5 per event (for individuals as well as for the immediate family covered under a Farm Bureau membership), and all fees will be donated to Children’s Hunger Alliance and America’s Second Harvest. These events are open to Farm Bureau members only. To learn more about Ohio Farm Bureau or to join at a limited-time introductory rate of $35, visit www.GrowWithFB.org.

May Recipe Highlight

Pasta Primavera
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup toasted pine nuts
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (Spanish if available)
½ cup broccoli florets
1 cup diced small zucchini
6 fresh asparagus spears cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound ripe tomatoes
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup shredded basil leaves

Pasta:
salt
8 cups water
1 pound penne or bow-tie pasta
½ cup grated Parmagiano-Reggiano or Manchego cheese

Cut off stem from tomato. Cut tomato in half crosswise and remove seeds. Cut the flesh into ½-inch pieces and place in a large bowl. Add all other ingredients except the basil, pine nuts and cheese (reserve for serving).

For entire recipe click here.

Did you know asparagus is in season right now? To find other in season vegetable selections, view our vegetable harvest calendar here.

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).