It was back in 2007 when the memberships of the Ohio Fruit Growers Society, Ohio Vegetable and Potato Growers Association, and Direct Agricultural Marketers Association merged to form Ohio Produce Growers & Marketers Association, a unified effort to assist Ohio produce growers and marketers to be the best they can be.
The organization works to streamline the educational and promotional activities of the state’s produce growers and was created to aid in providing educational opportunities to business owners, employees and families associated with the production and marketing of the state’s fresh produce industry.
Promoting the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is another important goal. After all, farmers and produce professionals throughout Ohio provide consumers with a range of delicious, healthy, and high-quality fruits and vegetables, with apples, grapes, wild mushrooms, cherries, cabbage, radishes, Swiss charge and raspberries among its most in-demand items. And the entire produce community in Ohio is a strong one that is united and dedicated to promoting these delicious foods.
OPGMA also builds connections between agricultural professionals through a variety of initiatives, including its summer tours, which this year shall feature a tour of the Controlled Environmental Research Complex on the Ohio State University camps in Columbus June 20.
Additionally, the Ohio Department of Agriculture established Ohio Proud three decades ago, a marketing program that encourages people to buy Ohio-grown foods by identifying them and promoting them, better educating Ohioans on foods grown in their state that are healthy to eat.
Ohio Proud noted agriculture is Ohio’s No. 1 industry and bring more than $105 billion to the state’s economy annually. One of the chief initiatives Ohio Proud provides is its Homegrown by Heroes program, which consists of farmers who served in the armed services and are raising awareness and developing programs for veteran “agripreneurs.”
Ohio Proud also makes it easy for people to support Ohio’s growers through its own logo, which identifies Ohio-grown fruits and vegetables at the point-of-purchase at local grocery stores, farm markets and restaurants.
In addition, Ohio Proud provides a schedule of events throughout the state, promotes farm markets and educates people on which fruits and vegetables are available at different times of year.
Source: theproducenews.com
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ianchrisgraham
Categories: Ohio, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables