July 2008 eNewsletter

Welcome to OurOhio.org

It's Ohio State Fair Time
Family fun and a connection to rural Ohio are just two of the many reasons for visitors to stop by the “Land and Living” exhibit at the Ohio State Fair, July 30 to Aug. 10. Presented by the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF), the exhibit demonstrates agriculture’s link to everyday life.

Visitors to the exhibit, located in the Nationwide Ag & Hort building, can participate in a variety of activities such as climbing a giant corn wall, watching chicks and ducks hatch, and planting a flower to take home. Children can take a ride in the OFBF Country Cruise, a pedal tractor course that highlights green energy, conservation practices, Ohio crops and other areas of Ohio agriculture. Families may also have their picture taken, compliments of OFBF.

Fairgoers can also receive information on recycling, conserving and preserving Mother Earth and other "going green" initiatives at this exhibit.

One such booth will show “green” enthusiasts how to collect rainwater for later use. Collection barrels will be on display to promote water conservation and will explain the guidelines on how to properly gather it. This booth, which will also offer Fairgoers household energy-saving tips, is sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture.

For additional information including a complete list of scheduled events and exhibits, click here.

Ohio State Fair Trivia - Win Free Tickets
The Ohio State Fair has not always been held in Columbus. Is this statement true or false? Send your answer to info@ourohio.org and you will be eligible to win a pair of one-day tickets to the fair. The first 20 correct respondents will win tickets. Please remember to include your full name and mailing address in your response.

From Blue to Green

To say Farm Bureau members Steve and Lisa Beilstein are adaptable would be an understatement. The business they have tenderly nourished and groomed over the last 27 years has thrived on the fact that it’s constantly morphing.

Out of an 80-acre parcel of rolling Richland County terrain, that was originally intended for apple production, the Beilsteins have created Ohio’s largest blueberry farm, known simply as “The Blueberry Patch.” Although it sounds straightforward, there’s a lot more to be discovered than twigs and berries.

Click here to read more about The Blueberry Patch and find out how the Beilsteins have made it a year-round venture.

July Recipe Highlight

Blueberry Buckle Coffee Cake
4 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
5 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
½ cup shortening
1 1/2 cups milk
2 eggs
4 cups blueberries

Topping:
2 cups sugar
2/3 cup flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup margarine

Click here for baking instructions.

For other seasonal recipe selections click here. And, find out what's in season by clicking here.

Upcoming Events

Vintage Ohio : August 01, 2008 - August 02, 2008
Enjoy more than 20 Ohio wineries, countless crafters and artisans and daily entertainment ranging from cooking demonstrations to musical performances. Our Ohio Chef Pierre Wolfe will be conducing a cooking demonstration Aug. 2 at 4 p.m. Look for him at the Loretta Paganini School of Cooking tent near the Farm Bureau display. Event admission includes complimentary sampling with participating wineries and a souvenir wineglass. Tickets are $22 in advance or $25 at the gate. Designated driver tickets: $10. Discount tickets are available for Farm Bureau members. Order tickets online at OhioWines.org and use the ticket code 2008FABU. The discount tickets are available through July 27.
Hours: 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Location: Lake Farmpark, Kirtland
Contact Phone #: (800) 227-6972
http://www.visitvintageohio.com

Farm Days: Little Seeds, Big Tractors : August 13, 2008 - August 17, 2008
COSI brings the farm to the city for the third year in a row, as more than a dozen pieces of huge farming equipment are arranged downtown on COSI's English Plaza and Washington Blvd. Discover how technology is used on today's farms and how farming has changed through the years and affected our lives. Climb into the cabs of tractors, a combine, lawn and garden equipment and more. Kids can test their driving skills on a pedal tractor obstacle course and make a seed necklace to take home. Plus collect a set of free Farm Days trading cards. Each card represents equipment, crops, and more that an Ohio farmer would use. This event is sponsored by Franklin County Farm Bureau. Adults $12.50. Seniors $10.50. Children age 2-12 $7.50.
Hours: Wed. to Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday noon to 6 p.m.
Location: COSI, 333 W. Broad St. Columbus
Contact Phone #: (614) 228-2674
http://www.cosi.org

Visit your Local County Fair
County Fairs will be taking place throughout the state this summer. Click here to find dates, schedules and attractions at the fair nearest you.

Gifts From the Garden

Summer gardens are in full production mode now, but as we reap the fruits (and vegetables) of our labor, what is to be done with the surplus? When the garden yields more than enough to feed just one family, the decision should be to share, of course.

What can be done to make those extra zucchinis look tastier and more appealing? Try displaying them in a basket rather than packing them into a boring grocery bag. Gift baskets are a great way to make anyone feel special and have the added benefit of leaving a good impression of the designer on the recipient.

Click here to get design ideas and themes for the perfect garden gift basket.

For a complete list of common gardening questions and answers, click here.

Let's Meat at the Market

Ask somebody in your chain grocery store’s meat department the history behind the T-bone you’re about to purchase and you’ll probably get a blank stare, if there’s even anybody behind the counter.

Ask Farm Bureau member Mike Belleville about the meat in his Wood County store and you’ll get a lesson on not only how it was produced, but also creative suggestions on how to have it cut, stored, prepared and cooked.

Along with his brother Jamie, nephew Bruce, and son Ivan, the fourth-generation meat processor owns and operates Belleville Brothers Market, a fixture in the Bowling Green community since 1912.

The Bellevilles represent a rare breed. To learn more about the Belleville's unique market, click here.

Taking Care of your Pets

Pets, like humans, are at risk for suffering from medical problems. The injury could be a broken bone or a serious illness, but the resulting vet bill can be staggering. Caught financially unprepared, some pet owners find themselves forced to choose between their pocketbooks and their pets.

Ohio Farm Bureau members now have a new option – Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI). Pet insurance, like medical insurance for humans, can help reduce that risk of caring for a pet and lessen the frequency of "financial euthanasia," the decision to put a pet to sleep rather than incur a large debt.

Click here for more information regarding pet insurance.


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).