License plates promote beef industry

SALEM, Ohio – Ohio cattlemen can show pride in their industry by purchasing the new Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation license plate.
The plate features a red and black state of Ohio and cattle silhouette graphic, and the words “Ohio Beef” at the bottom of the plate.
The plates can be personalized.
According to Elizabeth Harsh, executive director of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, the foundation has considered offering a cattle-themed plate for years after watching other state associations market theirs successfully.
Harsh said the “timing felt right” now after close to 10 years of evaluations.
Harsh and others had to collect 1,000 signatures of state residents who would be interested in buying the plate before state legislators could write a bill authorizing the plate.
It took nearly a year for the process, Harsh said. The plate went on sale Jan. 18.
To keep the cattlemen’s option available, at least 1,000 plates must be sold this year, Harsh said.
Who benefits. The Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation will receive $15 from each plate sale to be used for college and graduate school scholarships for students in animal or food science.
In the past five years, the foundation has awarded nearly $50,000 in scholarships, Harsh said. The foundation hopes to be able to offer more scholarships with additional funds, she said.
As more plates are sold and the foundation’s treasury grows, other programs for youth may be added, Harsh said.
Get yours. The plates cost $25 in addition to the normal registration fees.
They may be issued to passenger vehicles, noncommercial trucks, motor homes, house vehicles and non-commercial trailers.
The plates are not currently available to farm trucks, Harsh said, but the association is working with the state legislature to see if the option will be available.
A problem with allowing the plates to be used on farm trucks is that the plate has the words “Ohio Beef” where special farm truck designation is usually added to the plate.
Details. More information on the plates will be available at the Ohio Beef Expo at the state fairgrounds this weekend or by calling the cattlemen’s association, Harsh said.
The plates will be issued at any deputy registrar’s office, by mail, or online.
(Reporter Andrea Myers welcomes reader feedback by phone at 1-800-837-3419, ext. 22, or by e-mail at amyers@farmanddairy.com.)
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