Town Hall Ohio

In 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture launched a new initiative- “Know your farmer, know your food.” Its main purpose is to support and promote the growing demand for local and regional food systems. Over the past 7 years, USDA has invested more than a billion dollars helping farmers, businesses, service organizations and communities, resulting in a huge boost in sales of local foods. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, two top officials from USDA join us to talk about Know your farmer, know your food.

When it comes to truly momentous occasions, this is not one of them. But, it is an occasion of sorts. For ten years now, you and other loyal listeners have tuned in to Town Hall Ohio while getting ready for church, feeding the livestock or surfing around on your computer. The big names, the big issues…today, it’s a listen back over the past decade. Ten years of Town Hall Ohio, this week, on Town Hall Ohio.

Gardening and yard care is big fun and big business. Studies say 78% of Americans have either a lawn or some form of landscaping. Nearly half of all Americans engage in some kind of gardening. But the numbers drop when we’re asked how well informed we are about the proper care of our piece of the great outdoors. Today, we’re going to talk about some of the top do’s and don’ts of keeping your green space green. Our guest is Dr. Phil Dwyer, of Scotts Miracle Gro.

If you’re injured on the job, chances are you’ll come into contact with the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation. They’ve been caring for injured workers since 1912. Steve Buehrer has lead BWC for the past five years, but at the end of this week, he steps down from the job. Mr. Buehrer joins Farm Bureau’s Jack Fisher to talk about keeping Ohioans safe in the workplace and holding down the costs of safety for employers and taxpayers on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.

On this week’s episode of Town Hall Ohio, we welcome back a familiar guest. A former teacher, guidance counselor, psychologist and an ordained minister. He’s served as a member of congress, twice, and as governor of the great state of Ohio. Now, he wants to be our next United States senator. Ted Strickland’s Facebook profile highlights his work to create jobs, helping kids and his belief in Ohio values. We will learn more about what that means and why he wants to earn your vote on Town Hall Ohio.

Of the many ills facing society, one of the most horrifying is the explosion of drug abuse. We’re talking both illegal drugs or misused prescription medications, and the scourge isn’t limited to certain demographics or locations -- it’s affecting everyone, everywhere. How bad is it in Ohio? How can or should we respond? Today we’ll ask those questions of our panel representing law enforcement, state government and the medical profession. Ohio’s drug epidemic is this week’s topic on Town Hall Ohio. Guests are Andrea Boxill from the Governor's Cabinet Opiate Action Team; Tim Maglione from Ohio State Medical Association and Washington County Sheriff Larry R, Mincks, Sr. Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services maintains a toll-free information and referral line for Ohioans seeking assistance: 1.877.275.6364. The line is staffed 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

State of the Economy - Episode 494 by Town Hall Ohio

Any fan of Law and Order or a John Grisham novel knows that the really big decisions made within our judicial system are made by the United States Supreme Court. And while presidents and lawmakers are in the news almost every day, it is far less frequently that we hear from or about the nine men and women who sit on the supreme court of the United States. How’s the court function? What’s in store with the recent passing of an associate justice? Why’s it matter to you and me? These are a few of the questions we’ll explore today on Town Hall Ohio.

One of the many really smart things America’s founding fathers did was to be guided by the concept of property rights. The ability of individuals to own things and determine how it’s used. Of course, with rights come responsibilities. Today on Town Hall Ohio, our guests are three lawyers. Today, we’re going to explore with them what it means to own property, what rights and responsibilities come with that and talk about some of the more common situations that may be the cause of some conflict, either with neighbors or the government.

On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we talk with three close observers of all things policy and politics in the Buckeye state. Statehouse reporters, Jackie Borchart of the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Northeast Ohio Media Group, Marc Kovac of Dix Newspapers and the Youngstown Vindicator and Mike Thompson of WOSU - TV join us to discuss upcoming elections and pending legislation.

Speakers from recent Ohio Farm Bureau meetings including World Food Prize laureate Dr. Robert Fraley on feeding the world, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine on Ohio's illegal drug epidemic, NFL Hall of Famer Larry Csonka on work ethic, farming and football and Farm Bureau president Steve Hirsch on current ag issues.

What do you think of when you hear the term “environment”? Air, water, soil…Mother Nature? On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we’re going to get a crash course in environmental issues, including how the environment affects us, and how we affect it. Helping us better understand these things are Dr. Brian Lower of Ohio State University and Dr. Larry Antosch of Ohio Farm Bureau. Two environmental scientists who are going to chat with us about complex issues in plain English.

Every year Ohio Farm Bureau hosts the discussion meet. It could also be called the leadership training contest, because in a nutshell, the idea is to help young adults develop their skills in small group communications. Which would lead to them being capable leaders for Farm Bureau and their communities. Our 2016 Discussion Meet finalists are our guests this week on Town Hall Ohio. The four finalists are Stephen Caraway of West Union, Mike Derringer of Eaton, Andy Korb of Oxford and Joy Sizemore of Monroeville. Joy Sizemore was unable to join for the Town Hall Ohio episode.

OSU President Dr. Michael Drake and Ohio Farm Bureau’s Jack Fisher talk about food security, college affordability, athletics and campus safety

Americans eat a lot. But with only around 5 percent of the world’s population, there are billions of mouths to be fed elsewhere. At the foreign agriculture service of the United States department of agriculture, they’re working to help American farmers, businesses and workers earn and maintain a sizeable share of that world marketplace. Ohio is the nation’s 9th largest exporting state. We sell into more than 200 different countries. Supplying foreign buyers creates jobs in manufacturing, transportation, finance and many other areas, including farms. Nationally, agriculture is a large positive contributor to our nation’s balance of trade. This week’s guest is someone who’d like to keep it that way. Mr. Phil Karsting heads up the foreign ag service, and joins us to talk about the opportunities and challenges of feeding the world.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, retiring AFBF President Bob Stallman and new president Zippy Duval plus county Farm Bureau members from Ohio are among the highlights of our coverage of the 97th annual meeting of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

One of Ohio’s most recently developed economic engines is the huge supply of shale oil, gas, and bi-products. But for it to be useful, it has to be moved from where it’s drilled to where it’ll be used for fuel, manufacturing and other needs. For the most part, that transportation is via pipeline. There are some 2 million miles of pipelines across the United States, and the operator of much of that system is the Texas based company Kinder Morgan. They’re the largest energy infrastructure company in America. And they have in place a plan to put in a new pipeline stretching across the breadth of the state. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, their vice president, Allen Fore joins us to talk about infrastructure, safety, jobs and environmental protection.

Tis the time of year for top ten lists. The biggest news stories. Top ten albums, exceptional TV moments, buzzwords or whatever some media outlet deems worth of memorializing. So as to not get left out, Town Hall Ohio joins the fray. Not so much a top ten, but maybe more like a greatest hits show. Politician, educators, environmentalists... We'll look back at some of the more prominent guest who took the time to visit with you during 2015 Town Hall Ohio.

For some farmers, the developing market for locally grown food is an exciting business opportunity. For some consumers, access to these local food is greatly enjoyed. But what would it look like if local food production and consumption wasn't just for some people. What if it were a part of the mainstream? On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we explore the possibilites of scaling up to a local food systems that would benefit farmers, consumers and communities. Guests: Brian Williams, agricultural specialist with the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission; Tony Logan, director of USDA Rural Development in Ohio; and Steve Berk, Ohio Farm Bureau organization director.

Craft brewing output has more than doubled in just five years. Nationally, it’s a 102 billion dollar market. Ohio ranks fourth nationally in craft-brew production at 1.27 million barrels a year. This episode looks into this exploding industry. Guests are Tim Ward of North High Brewing in Columbus, executive director of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association Mary McDonald and Akron Beacon Journal reporter and craft brewing blogger and author Rick Armon.