Legislator proposes ag license plate

SALEM, Ohio – Farmers and farm supporters may soon get a new way to show their enthusiasm for Ohio’s No. 1 industry.
The Ohio House of Representatives is considering the creation of an Ohio agricultural license plate whose proceeds would fund an Ohio State University agricultural scholarship.
Rep. Bruce Goodwin, R-Defiance, is the primary sponsor of House Bill 293. Goodwin proposed the legislation in late July.
Governance. The license plate would be designed by the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and offered at county registrars’ offices for a $15 premium over regular license plate fees.
A board of directors would oversee the scholarship funds and awards.
That board would be comprised of the state director of agriculture or his representative, plus a representative from the Ohio Agriculture Council, Ohio Corn Growers Association, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, Ohio Soybean Association, Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and the Ohio Young Farmers Association.
Evolving. Though the original intent was for the scholarship to be offered to agricultural majors only, there has been talk of expanding that to include chemistry and biology majors as well, according to Shawn Kasych, Goodwin’s legislative aide.
“Those types of sciences are important in developing crops,” and agricultural research, he said.
The bill is currently in the House infrastructure and veterans’ affairs committee, Kasych said.
(Reporter Andrea Zippay welcomes feedback by phone at 800-837-3419 or by e-mail at azippay@farmanddairy.com.)