SOLUTION ACTIONS – VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
OHIO SMART AGRICULTURE: SOLUTIONS FROM THE LAND
Welcome to the first newsletter from Ohio Smart Agriculture: Solutions from the Land! Named “Solution Actions”, now is the time to act. We have launched a new initiative across Ohio to build upon stakeholder partnerships in agriculture, food, environment and health.
Our vision
Boost profitability for farmers at all scales and in all settings (from rural to urban) while restoring environmental resilience, building strong communities, engaging consumers and ensuring public health and access to nutritious food.
Our mission
Valuing all forms, sizes and types of food, feed and fiber production systems, recommend: public policy frameworks; research, technology and infrastructure priorities (physical and social); market mechanisms; and risk management solutions that can be deployed to expand markets for regionally-produced crops, fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy products, eggs, other agricultural products, value-added products, ecosystem services, and any other potential returns accruing from agriculture.
Steering Committee workgroups
Current initiative efforts are concentrated in the following four areas:
Access to Nutritious Food
Building on the work of food system stakeholders with a focus on food security and health impacts, develop strategies through which Ohio food and agriculture can help ensure that all Ohioans have equitable access to adequate, affordable and nutritious food for an active, healthy life.
Climate Smart Agriculture
Explore the potential impacts of changing climatic conditions on Ohio agriculture, and develop recommendations for both mitigation and adaptation to these changes, including ways to: maintain sustainable production of food, feed, fiber and energy, while also ensuring the integrity of natural resources.
Ecosystem Services
Explore ways for placing ecosystem services at the foundation of agricultural production in Ohio, both in terms of the basis for supporting production and in terms of the benefits resulting from sustainable agricultural land management, such as green space and water quality.
Market Development
Valuing all forms, sizes and types of food, feed and fiber production systems, recommend: public policy frameworks; research, technology and infrastructure priorities (physical and social); market mechanisms; and risk management solutions that can be deployed to expand markets for regionally-produced crops, fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy products, eggs, other agricultural products, value-added products, ecosystem services, and any other potential returns accruing from agriculture.
INITIATIVE IN ACTION: FIRST SET OF REGIONAL MEETINGS
The initiative is expanding with individuals and organizations identifying pathways to realize the Ohio Smart Agriculture vision. In March, we traveled the state to host regional forums with local leaders and steering committee members to expand the conversation and gather YOUR ideas and feedback to make this a reality.
|
Date |
Location |
|
3/5/2018 |
Piketon |
|
3/8/2018 |
Springfield |
|
3/14/2018 |
Bowling Green |
|
3/15/2018 |
Wooster |
|
3/16/2018 |
Lancaster |
FORUM UPDATE
The forums included an introduction to the Ohio Smart Agriculture Initiative and a discussion of the preliminary findings and recommendations emerging from the project’s four work groups. Those participating in the forums validated the problems the project is seeking to solve and largely affirmed the draft vision statement that is serving as the OSA “North Star”. Feedback confirmed that they were directionally correct, but commenters identified the need to move beyond a 30,000-foot discussion of pathways to realize the OSA Vision and propose tangible and actionable initiatives that can produce the outcomes we seek.
For those who were not able to attend one of the forums, your views and input are important. We encourage you to email us (info@ohiosmartag.net) with your input on the following:
- The OSA Vision: Is it complete and bold enough?
- Ohio’s current state: Is it accurate? What is missing?
- Pathways to the OSA Vision: Are they appropriate?
- What recommendations might you have for near-term action initiatives?
- Any other comments or suggestions.
PATH FORWARD
The OSA Steering Committee is meeting April 24-25 at the Methodist Theological School in Delaware, Ohio to review input from the Regional Forums and continue to define and prioritize actions necessary to achieve the OSA vision.
OHIO AG: DID YOU KNOW?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture Prospective Plantings report, corn acres will be 2% less than 2017, at approximately 88-million acres. However, Ohio is expecting an increase in acres. As the spring continues, weather and climate will impact planting progress.