17th Annual Eighth Congressional District Farm Forum an Important Opportunity to Discuss Ag Issues
Feb 8, 2008
Washington -
In just a few weeks, some of the best agriculture minds from Ohio and around the country will gather in Piqua for the 17th annual Eighth Congressional District Farm Forum. I hope you’ll join us.
Agriculture is a pillar of the economy in the 8th District, and I’m proud to represent a region in which our agriculture production brings in approximately $652 million each year. We have more than 5,000 farms covering nearly 1 million acres, but the importance of agriculture extends far beyond the number of hogs we raise or how many acres we use to grow corn. Thanks to agriculture, we are self-reliant as a nation and our generosity to the rest of the world is limited only by what we can imagine.
Farm Forum is always a highlight of my year, and I believe that those who attend come away with a greater understanding of agriculture policy and how that impacts farmers, businesses and families.
This year’s keynote speaker is former California Congressman Cal Dooley, who now is president and chief executive officer of the Grocery Manufacturers Association. Dooley served in the U.S. House from 1991 to 2004 and we served together on the Agriculture Committee. He was also the top Democrat on the Agriculture Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry. Dooley is a fourth-generation farmer and partner in Dooley Farms, growing cotton, alfalfa and walnuts in California’s San Joaquin Valley. He earned a Bachelors degree in Agriculture Economics from the University of California, Davis and, as a Sloan Fellow, earned a Masters degree in Management from Stanford University.
Farm Forum also features a panel of experts, and I am sure our participants this year will provide a stimulating discussion about the topics of the day, including the federal Farm Bill. The panel moderator will be Sen. Keith Faber (R-Celina), whose district includes Mercer and Preble counties as well as parts of Darke County. He sits on the Ohio Senate Agriculture Committee and has been named a Friend of Agriculture by the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.
The panel includes:
Jim Chakeres, executive vice president of the Ohio Poultry Association. As the leader of this trade association, Chakeres is in charge of maintaining the poultry industry’s presence and function in an ever-changing agricultural community. The association represents egg, chicken and turkey producers. Chakeres has been involved in the operation of his family’s farm since he was a young boy. Prior to joining the Ohio Poultry Association, he worked with the Ohio and American Sheep Industry associations, the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and a regional farm cooperative. He earned both a Bachelors and Masters degrees from The Ohio State University.
Tom Menke, president of Menke Consulting, Inc., in Greenville, an agronomic and environmental management consulting firm specializing in agricultural production systems concerning nutrient and water quality management, soil testing and crop fertility. Menke has a unique viewpoint to agriculture through his work in management systems and farm-level practicality. He currently serves on the Ohio Livestock Coalition’s Producer Education and Legislative committees and belongs to the National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants, the American Society of Agricultural Engineers and the Soil and Water Conservation Society.
Bob Peterson, president of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. He also serves as a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors representing the Midwest Region. Peterson, his father and his brother run a farming operation producing grain and livestock. He graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor's degree in agriculture.
Carl Zulauf, Ohio State’s Francis B. McCormick Professor of Agricultural Marketing and Policy. Current research on farm policy involves the analysis of the impact of changing farm programs from a price support basis to a gross revenue basis; and the interrelationship between farm income support programs and crop insurance. Current research on futures and options markets is focused on the supply of storage. Zulauf is recognized as one of the profession’s best teachers and one of Ohio State’s premiere educators.
Farm Forum is a free event for anyone with an interest in agriculture. To RSVP, call my office toll-free at 800-582-1001 or register online at www.johnboehner.house.gov.
WHEN: Saturday, March 1. Registration opens at 9:30 am; the program begins at 10 am.
WHERE: Edison Community College, 1973 Edison Drive, Piqua
Boehner represents Ohio’s 8th District, which includes all of Darke, Miami and Preble counties, most of Butler and Mercer counties, and the northeastern corner of Montgomery County. He was first elected to Congress in 1990.
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