By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com

Members of the rural and urban communities of Crawford County came together at the Crawford County Fairgrounds Tuesday to celebrate the annual Rural/Urban Day.

The event was organized by the Bucyrus Rotary Club and local FFA chapters.

The event started with members of the Buckeye Central, Colonel Crawford, and Wynford FFAs giving an example of the parliamentary procedure that accompanies their meetings.

“I think it is really awesome that people are getting together and working together, so that the people who are more urban people are learning about the people who are rural, and the people who are more rural are learning about the urban.” Wynford FFA member Aryn Copeland said.

Leah Dorman, Senior Director of Policy Outreach of the Ohio Farm Bureau, was the keynote speaker. Dorman talked about the public perception of the average farmer, Ohio agriculture, as well as genetically modified organisms, or GMOs.

Dorman explained that both the farming and consumers need to work with one another so that there are no misunderstandings.

Dorman said that GMOs aren’t as bad as perceived, but that GMOs are precision farming at its best.

“The reason biotech farms are needed is it helps increase food yields, helps smaller farms, it spurs global economic growth, and reduces chemical use,” Dorman said.

After the event Dorman explained what she hopes those in attendance took away from her speech.

“The main thing I want folks to know is don’t hesitate to ask the farmers questions,” Dorman said. “You know, what better person to go to than the person who actually raises and grows the food, and makes that their life living.”

Students from Pioneer Career and Technology Center attended a Rural/Urban Day for the first time.

“It’s something I haven’t experienced before so it was kind of cool,” Pioneer student Alexis Longhorn said.

“I didn’t know that we were number one in GMO production,” Pioneer student Katie Coll added.

After the FFA officers closed the meeting, they presented the Rotary with the Distinguished Service Award.