Commentary

Ohio State Fair: In the end, it’s not about winning

Wednesday, August 12, 2009 by Susan Crowell

When Branden DeFrank of Jefferson County entered the ring at the Ohio State Fair Sale of Champions with his grand champion steer, he was joined by two youth holding banners. I recognized one teen as Branden’s sister, Kyleigh, who showed the grand champion at last year’s Ohio State Fair.
Then, Kyle Sharp, editor of Ohio’s Country […]

Reality check: We need large farms

Thursday, August 6, 2009 by Susan Crowell

Farming doesn’t need to be just small or large, just organic or conventional, just black or white. There’s room at the table for all. But unless we face the agricultural realities, there might not be any food on that table.

Walmart pushes sustainability index

Wednesday, July 22, 2009 by Susan Crowell

Walmart threw its global shoulder into a sustainability product index initiative last week. Forget cap-and-trade legislation, ignore international commissions. Follow the smiley face instead.

Just in case you missed it…

Friday, July 17, 2009 by Susan Crowell

… People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) wanted to bring 3,500 1-gallon buckets of pig manure and urine to the Ohio Statehouse for a recent protest. Oh, and fans, too, so the activists could direct the wafting smells into bystanders’ faces.
Um, no, the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board wisely said. The […]

Water wars will impact us all

Thursday, July 2, 2009 by Susan Crowell

California is embroiled in a hot issue that affects agriculture, as well as everyday living — an issue that will affects us all sooner or later. Water.

(I hope) there’s an ag activist in all of us

Thursday, June 25, 2009 by Susan Crowell

The creation of an Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board will mean the implementation of standards governing livestock and poultry production. But I would rather have those standards created by a body that understands production livestock agriculture than an entity that would like to abolish animal agriculture.

Social media butterflies? Get over it

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 by Susan Crowell

“Have you seen this?” The Twitter direct message from John Blue of Truffle Media asked. “Indiana Fair Oaks Farm video.” And it gave the link.
A few minutes later, I read this message from David Brown (@tvfarmer) of Decatur, Ill.: “June issue of National Geographic, ‘The End of Plenty’ is a must read. The need for […]

Ag awareness: Let’s play small ball

Thursday, June 4, 2009 by Susan Crowell

As farmers and farm leaders struggle to figure out strategies to educate a growing farm-illiterate consumer population, maybe they should try small ball — methodically undertake individual efforts and be opportunistic, rather than swing for the fences.

Advice for life: Listen to your coach

Wednesday, May 27, 2009 by Susan Crowell

Dear Jon,

Coach T. was right: Every game, every football season, has peaks and valleys.
You heard it in the locker room every Friday night for the last four years. You play through the pain and the losses and the frustrations of the valleys because you know if you try hard enough, if you keep working, […]

We need a cure for U.S. health care

Thursday, May 14, 2009 by Susan Crowell

On May 11, President Barack Obama declared, “I will not rest until the dream of health care reform is achieved in the United States of America.”
It is a vow rural America sincerely hopes the president can fulfill.
It won’t be easy — nearly 50 million people in rural America are either uninsured, have limited coverage or […]