Ohio State should fund Extension programs
To the editor:
The 4H/FFA programs and their support by local Agricultural Extension
Agencies were put in place because society long ago recognized the absolute
need to provide for a long-term stream of producers – people with the
knowledge and skill and heart and work ethic to produce the foods and
textiles necessary to feed and cloth an ever-growing population. Each and
every one of today’s American farmers is generally credited with the
Productivity to feed 153 people and that all by itself is certainly vivid
testimony to the incredible success and irreplaceable value of the 4H/FFA
and local Extension programs.
But in counties like Highland the 4H/FFA is not just a necessary and
successful program of agricultural and home management Productivity. It’s
Productivity is an integral part of the entire fabric of Life here;
extending throughout the people and families and communities themselves. It
is a predictable part of the social Future for our little tots pedaling
around on toy tractors (just like Dad and Grampa did). 4H/FFA is a big part
of the present our older children are using as a sturdy trellis to grow
healthy upon and form the bonds to Productivity and Responsibility the world
will need of its’ young adults tomorrow. It is the abiding History of our
mature folks whose productivity has been quietly, steadfastly supporting
virtually every other accomplishment our generation can claim. The “head”,
“heart”, “hands”, and “health” of 4H/FFA are not, and never have been just
empty words. Neither Highland County nor its’ generations of good people
would have been what they have been all these decades had it not been for
the productivity gift-wrapped in those humble blue jackets.
The wrecked Economy now leaves the County short of funds to help
support the OSU-Extension office and the announcement has been made that the
4h/FFA programs here, as well as the office itself may be discontinued. That
news rang odd to me because OSU was long-ago designated a land-grant
university with the charge to educate the public and support 4H/FFA programs
through the Ag-extension offices. Those purposes are the specific reasons
public monies and land donations of more than a thousand acres and many new
facilities; large operating budgets and first-class staff were provided to
OSU. So why is the County’s shortfall the death knell for these most
valuable programs? Where is the financial support for the Extension office
from OSU? The University and their $2-million-per-year President may feel a
bit of “pinch” now too, but nothing even remotely resembling 10,000 jobs
lost in the passed year.
While stumbling around asking questions about the matter, it seems like
people understand the logic of asking OSU to provide the funding for the
programs they were charged to support but, for some reason, are reluctant to
even go to OSU with that request – or perhaps very willing to accept “No” as
an answer from OSU. I am hoping the Highland (et al) County Commissioners
and the local and State Farm Bureau people who are now discussing what to do
will give real consideration to a serious approach to OSU but the faint
indication is that they are wary of even allowing that option on their
table. And that is distressing. The one bright beam of light so far is Rep.
David Daniels agreeing with the idea that OSU should be approached and being
willing to help along those lines in order to keep the Productivity and flow
of Productive people working.
A dismaying feature of this situation is that while OSU has (as of yet)
seemed bored with, or at last ominously silent about the plight of our most
productive and valuable state office and programs, their ears perk up
immediately upon mention of the Consumer activity they have begun in the
form of their Farm Science Review.
Granted, the FSR is fun and interesting to attend but it is not part of
the productivity marching orders OSU received. And it certainly is very,
very far from Necessary to local farmers. Granted, it brings lots of dollars
to OSU and, since it is a Consumer event – a Sales event, it has been a very
cost-effective way for the big vendors (and the big University) to peddle
their wares and ideas to their Consumer base. It also showcases technology,
for better or worse. It is a large helping of Consumerism seasoned with
small doses of productivity gain.
With that in mind one can ask nearly anyone of any age in Highland if
they would rather do without the 4H/FFA and Extension office or without the
annual Farm Science Review and I’ll bet eight dollars in small, unmarked
bills that almost everyone would say OSU should ditch the Farm Science
Review and use the money saved to continue the 4H/FFA programs and other
Extension Office programs. Yet I suspect neither the County Commission nor
the Farm Bureau would broach that option to OSU.
So I am disheartened by the willingness of local leaders to suggest
we, the citizens of the hardest hit county in the state, pass a(nother) levy
to tax ourselves to support the programs rather than go for funding to the
University charged (and paid) to provide the programs. We already
individually pay tons of taxes yet everything we actually need, or that is
productive, seems always to require additional tax levies. After a while it
seems like legalized extortion. I’ll ask forgiveness for that wee dram of
snarl and just suggest that we give substantial encouragement to our local
County and Farm Bureau leaders to go to OSU for the funding to carry the
Extension Office.
If they refuse or if OSU refuses, perhaps an outright boycott
of the Farm Science Review in order to elicit involvement by the big
Ag. vendors on our behalf would be possible. Surely, they can see that
rampant, mindless Consumerism has wrecked our Economy and only Productivity on the many, many local fronts can get it on its feet again.
Sincerely,
Jim Moore
Hillsboro
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