Logan County Farm Bureau Luncheon

District Conservationist Bob Stoll was first to speak. He talked about the need to provide inventory and costs for county flood plain maintenance.

Stoll also emphasized the importance of land trust and education to promote and keep Logan County agricultural. (Video interview included.)

Commissioners Jack Reser, David Knight, and John Bayliss asked for support to help keep funding for local entities, including land use funding for sewer systems in small villages.

Bellefontaine Mayor Adam Brannon discussed the possibility of a health levy being presented a third time in hopes to continue such free services to the county as school nurses, infant checks and healthcare screenings.

The next Health District meeting will be held June 26th at 6:30.

Alan Hale, Coordinator for Logan County Solid Waste, spoke of new initiatives for recycling, including the newly implemented "HARM" (hard to recycle materials).

The program runs Saturdays 9 a.m. until noon and Wednesdays 4 p.m. to 7 p.m in June, July, and August.

Logan County will be represented this week on a Green County Government Web seminar as one of only 3 counties in the nation offering unique programs for recycling such as HARM.

See www.logancountyrecycles.com for more information.

A representative from Logan County Co-op spoke of Bill 2191 in the Senate that has the potential to increase electric costs 2 to 3 times. The legislation concerning emissions is part of a global climate change.

Prices for copper, steel, and diesel fuel also are affecting current utility prices.

Deb Roberts discussed ditch improvements and the Miami River Project. Roberts expressed the need to rewrite Ohio Revised Code 15 and Senate Bill 6131 in order to define issues, voting, and the referendum in order to make the codes more similar.

Andrew Smith from the Logan County Sheriff's Office asked for support to communicate information to the community on rural crime and crime prevention.

A representative from the Farm Service Agency acknowledged that Congress recently passed a Farm Bill that the agency is still reviewing. Items that have changed include:

- Loan limits increased to $300,000

- Prosecution for payment limitations

- Specialized funding for beginning farmers

- Youth loans available, including 4-H

Melinda McKay, Organization Director, spoke of the bureau's goal to revise policy and move from 32 local policies to 10 or less. Defined action plans will also be written this year.

Watch McKay recap the meeting.

The next Farm Bureau meeting is scheduled for September 9th at Riverside Schools at 6:30 p.m.