New Ag Marketing Agreements In Ohio
October 2, 2012 After nearly a year of effort by the Ohio Produce Growers & Marketers Association (OPGMA) and the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, Ohio Gov. John Kasich has signed Ohio Senate Bill 309. Sponsored by state Senator Cliff Hite, the new law creates voluntary agricultural marketing agreements in the state. The agreements will enable farmers to organize voluntary marketing initiatives for products like fruits, vegetables, and other commodities. The agreements will be self-supporting through fees paid by participants. The Ohio Department of Agriculture will assist in establishing the agreements.
For three years, OPGMA has been developing a first-of-its-kind marketing program for fruit and vegetables with a core purpose of providing safer produce products to retailers and directly to consumers. The Ohio Produce Marketing Agreement is a grassroots effort led by Ohio’s agriculture community to take charge of food safety. It is a statewide network of farmers, standards, and inspections that are realistic, sensible, and affordable.
The voluntary program provides a three-tier system that lets growers pick their place in Ohio agriculture, whether they are servicing a farmers market, auction, organic farmer, small roadside grower, co-op, or selling to a market chain or nationwide broker. Farms are already participating and enrollment is available now to any producer and market. Over the coming months OPGMA will seek formal recognition from the agriculture department under the new law.
OPGMA thanks the staff and leadership of the Farm Bureau, and Senator Hite for their support and efforts in helping to secure the passage of the Bill. For more information about the Ohio Produce Marketing Agreement, visit opma.us.
