Town Hall Ohio

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.

Our grandparents learned about Presidential Candidates by reading the paper or even actually pressing the flesh. Today, we're informed by tweets, robo calls and TV shouting matches disguised as debates. We're in the midst of presidential primaries, and if we hope to end up with a couple of solid candidates, we're obliged to do our part. In this episode, two professors who know politics and how voters behave are in to help us perform our civic duty. Guests: Dr. Dan Birdsong from University of Dayton, where he teaches courses on politics, campaigns, media and public opinion; and Dr. Jerry Miller from Ohio University where he specializes in political communication, advertising and debate.

From fishing to fracking, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is charged with taking care of Ohio's great outdoors. Heading that agency is Director, Jim Zehringer. Today he joins OFBF Executive Vice President, Jack Fisher, to talk about energy, water, wildlife, recreation and more. Length 39:20

Educator & author Dickson Despommier mentions in his book that 10-12,000 years ago, humans began to systematically modify their environment to meet their basic biological needs. Among those was the need to feed themselves. He has some ideas to a modern modification: the vertical farm. Length 39:20

Columbus Dispatch, Journalism, and More - Episode 477 by Town Hall Ohio

Food, farming, jobs, and education. These are just a few of the topics watched over and influenced by the House Agriculture and Rural Development committee of the Ohio General Assembly. Let's focus on some key issues. Guest: Rep. Brian Hill, chair, and Rep. Tony Burkley, vice chair. Length 39:20

Maureen O'Connor is the 10th Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, and the first women to hold that position. One of her latest initiatives is to tackle the problem in Ohio...our less than enthusiastic participation in judicial elections. Length 39:20

Mid-Ohio Foodbank serves a large area of Ohio by providing meals to more than half a million people. Hunger. How can we best help those who need help? Guest: Matt Habash, Pres / CEO, Mid-Ohio Foodbank; Dr. Bobby Moser, Ohio State University and member of the foodbank board. Length: 39:20

These are exciting times for the Republicans in Ohio. They have a candidate running for president, and they prepare to host the 2016 National Convention. Plus they're in the midst of an interesting race for a U.S. Senate seat. Guest: Matt Borges, Chairman, Ohio Republican Party. Length: 39:20

Almost 1.5 million Ohioans either heat their home, power their businesses or otherwise make use of the products and services of Columbus Gas of Ohio, the largest natural gas utility in Ohio. Guest: Dan Creekmur, president, Columbia Gas of Ohio. Length: 39:20

The Natural Resources Conservation Service is a federal agency that makes its mark by helping people accomplish what they want to do when it comes to conservation. Guests: NRCS Chief, Jason Weller; State Conservationist, Terry Cosby; Jack Fisher, OFBF. Length 39:20

The FFA jacket is one of the most iconic brands in America. What does the FFA of 2015 look like, and why is it important to everybody? Guests: Matthew Klopfenstein, Ohio FFA president; Christi Bachman, Ag Education Teacher, Bloom Carroll Schools; Katy Endsley, FFA Program Manager. Length 39:20

The Healthy Water Coalition is a unique group of diverse interests that pulled together to take a strategic look at how to preserve our water. Guests: Steve Hirsch, Ohio Farm Bureau; Josh Knights, Ohio Nature Conservancy; Ann Aquillo, Scott's Miracle Gro; Jack Williams, City of Ottawa. Length 39:20