PERRYSBURG, OHIO (Aug. 13, 2009) - Ohio Farmers Union (OFU) President Roger Wise today joined U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown at Owens Community College as part of a Summit on Clean Energy and Agriculture. The summit focused on how clean energy or climate change legislation could be crafted to benefit Ohio’s farm familes.
Guest Commentary
In a culture in which no one flinches at paying two bucks for a bottle of water, it is not fair that dairy farmers are struggling in Ohio. The dairy industry is in critical condition because prices paid to farmers have fallen well below the costs to feed and keep dairy cows. While dairy farmers provide the essential ingredients for milk, cheese, and ice cream, others in the supply and marketing chain are using cheap prices for milk as their own cash cow.
This situation is hurting rural Ohio. It is not good for grocery shoppers, either.
Dairy Operations Facing Economic Disaster
OFU Urges Listening Sessions
Ohio Farmers Union President Roger Wise sent a letter late last week to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack urging him to organize listening sessions in Ohio to hear first hand from dairy producers the crisis their family farm operations face with the low price of milk and the high cost of inputs.
Large wind-generated electric turbines represent renewable energy, yet smaller and more affordable turbines scaled to residential use have an equally bright future in Ohio.
Smaller turbines can work well for farmers, rural residents and rural businesses. “A small turbine goes a long way toward generating green energy and leading to more self sufficiency at a local level,” said OFU President Roger Wise.
A free, open to the public seminar entitled “An Up Close Look at Wind Turbines for Residential, Farm and Rural Business” will be held Tuesday, June 23 at 6:30PM.