Town Hall Ohio

It is a scary world out there. There are people who want to do us, and our nation, harm. Today’s guest has spent his career helping America avoid that harm. Dr. Zachary Mears has worked at the highest public and private sector levels. Mears recently came to Columbus to be the assistant vice president for national security and research programs at the Ohio State University, and to hold an advisory office at Battelle, a leading research and development firm headquartered right next door to the university. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we talk about what risks we face, from whom, and what we are or should be doing to keep America safe.

The degree of mistrust between communities and law enforcement is high and seemingly getting higher. In Ohio, Gov. Kasich launched a task force and resulting advisory board aimed at figuring out the problems and working toward solutions. Our guest to help us better understand the problems and the search for solutions is Mr. Karhlton Moore, executive director of the office of criminal justice services within the Ohio Department of Public Safety.

In 1919, farmers from 30 states gathered in Chicago to create the American Farm Bureau Federation. Its stated purpose “to make the business of farming more profitable and the community a better place to live.” Coming up on its 100th anniversary, the organization has evolved, but its key component hasn’t – and that is the idea of grassroots action by members to get things done. The organization has a new president, Mr. Zippy Duvall, and he’s with Ohio Farm Bureau’s Executive Vice President, Adam Sharp, and OFBF President Frank Burkett on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.

Ohio is home to around 11 and a half million people. But we’re also home to about 90 million chickens, more than a million beef and dairy cattle, a couple million pigs and a bunch of sheep, goats, rabbits and assorted other food animals. With people and critters so close to one another, the potential for problems is big including water quality, noise, odor and infrastructure challenges abound. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we talk about protecting Ohioans and preserving animal agriculture.

For almost 100 years, Ohio Farm Bureau has played a significant role in the lives of Ohioans. For the past twenty years, the organization has been lead at the executive level by John C. Fisher. Jack, as he’s best known, is retiring as executive vice president. His successor is Adam Sharp. Today, the two of them join us to talk about farmers, Farm Bureau and the role that the agricultural community plays in every Ohioan’s life. Farm Bureau in transition, today, on Town Hall Ohio.

Beyond his academic, medical and service credentials, OSU President Dr. Michael Drake is a huge music fan, and uses the medium to teach and lecture about social and cultural issues. On this week’s show, Dr. Drake, who serves on the board of directors for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, shares clips from Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Supremes, Beach Boys, Marvin Gaye and more to share insights into music as a reflector and driver of American culture.

Of Ben Franklin’s many famous quotes, one most often cited is “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” When it comes to our financial resources, few of us can afford to fail. Today, Kirt Walker of Nationwide Financial is our guest to help us think through how to build, grow and protect the resources we want to pay for the kid’s college, fund our retirements, and pass on the farm or whatever the goal. Financial planning 101, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.

Ohio is a unique state. We have 11 and a half million people, and for virtually every one of us, there’s a farm within a 20 or 30 minute drive. Both urban and rural Ohioans desire a strong local economy and a fulfilling quality of life. Connecting to food and food producers is one of the biggest trends in society today. Today’s guests believe that the fate of both urban areas and rural can be enhanced by supporting each other, in large part, through a food economy. Local foods, urban development and farmland preservation, that’s our conversation this week on Town Hall Ohio.

Since the second Morrill Act of 1890, Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio has sought designation as a land grant university. Two years ago, that goal was attained. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we welcome leaders from Central State to our studios to talk about what its designation as a land grant institution means to the university, its students and the Ohio community as a whole.

Last November, Ohioans overwhelmingly turned down a ballot measure to legalize marijuana in the state of Ohio. 7 months later, the legislature passed and the governor signed a bill that legalizes marijuana in the state of Ohio. Granted, there are significant differences between the ballot plan and the new law, but the fact is that public policy on marijuana in Ohio has changed dramatically and quickly. A law professor and a journalist join us to talk about Ohio’s new medical marijuana law, today, on Town Hall Ohio.

I think for most Americans, the term homeland security originated in the aftermath of 9-11. What many of us may not know is that Ohio has its own homeland security agency. It’s mission: prevention, protection, response and recovery. It works with literally hundreds of other state, federal and local agencies, and with the public, to carry through on that mission. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, Richard Zwayer, Ohio Homeland Security’s executive director, joins us to talk about the work being done to keep us all safe.

What we used to take for granted is now at the center of millions of conversations: food. How it tastes, who grows it, and is it nutritious, safe, and affordable? What’s the role of technology in putting foods on our plates? So called GMO foods have been at the center of debates and disagreements over food safety, environmental protection and even the structure of farming. GMOs in food and the food conversation- today, on Town Hall Ohio.

If you want to know what’s going on in state government, today’s panelists are some great sources. Jo Ingles of Ohio Public Radio, Mark Niquette of Bloomberg and Julie Carr Smyth of the Associated Press are experienced journalists who have the important job of keeping us informed about what’s happening in government. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we’ll talk about the elections, what’s going on with various marijuana proposals and other hot topics from the state capital.

The Bob Evans brand has been part of the restaurant and grocery products landscape for more than 60 years. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, CEO Saed Mohseni and foods division President Mike Townsley, join Ohio Farm Bureau’s Jack Fisher to talk about food, business and community building.

In 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture launched a new initiative- “Know your farmer, know your food.” Its main purpose is to support and promote the growing demand for local and regional food systems. Over the past 7 years, USDA has invested more than a billion dollars helping farmers, businesses, service organizations and communities, resulting in a huge boost in sales of local foods. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, two top officials from USDA join us to talk about Know your farmer, know your food.

When it comes to truly momentous occasions, this is not one of them. But, it is an occasion of sorts. For ten years now, you and other loyal listeners have tuned in to Town Hall Ohio while getting ready for church, feeding the livestock or surfing around on your computer. The big names, the big issues…today, it’s a listen back over the past decade. Ten years of Town Hall Ohio, this week, on Town Hall Ohio.

Gardening and yard care is big fun and big business. Studies say 78% of Americans have either a lawn or some form of landscaping. Nearly half of all Americans engage in some kind of gardening. But the numbers drop when we’re asked how well informed we are about the proper care of our piece of the great outdoors. Today, we’re going to talk about some of the top do’s and don’ts of keeping your green space green. Our guest is Dr. Phil Dwyer, of Scotts Miracle Gro.

If you’re injured on the job, chances are you’ll come into contact with the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation. They’ve been caring for injured workers since 1912. Steve Buehrer has lead BWC for the past five years, but at the end of this week, he steps down from the job. Mr. Buehrer joins Farm Bureau’s Jack Fisher to talk about keeping Ohioans safe in the workplace and holding down the costs of safety for employers and taxpayers on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.

On this week’s episode of Town Hall Ohio, we welcome back a familiar guest. A former teacher, guidance counselor, psychologist and an ordained minister. He’s served as a member of congress, twice, and as governor of the great state of Ohio. Now, he wants to be our next United States senator. Ted Strickland’s Facebook profile highlights his work to create jobs, helping kids and his belief in Ohio values. We will learn more about what that means and why he wants to earn your vote on Town Hall Ohio.

Of the many ills facing society, one of the most horrifying is the explosion of drug abuse. We’re talking both illegal drugs or misused prescription medications, and the scourge isn’t limited to certain demographics or locations -- it’s affecting everyone, everywhere. How bad is it in Ohio? How can or should we respond? Today we’ll ask those questions of our panel representing law enforcement, state government and the medical profession. Ohio’s drug epidemic is this week’s topic on Town Hall Ohio. Guests are Andrea Boxill from the Governor's Cabinet Opiate Action Team; Tim Maglione from Ohio State Medical Association and Washington County Sheriff Larry R, Mincks, Sr. Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services maintains a toll-free information and referral line for Ohioans seeking assistance: 1.877.275.6364. The line is staffed 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.