Since the beginning of the national recession in 2008, many communities across the United States have come to realize the impact that the agricultural economy has on their local economies. Residents of Pickaway County, Ohio not only have come to realize this, they want to enhance and support this important aspect of their community for years to come. Local leaders are supporting the creation of an agricultural economic development plan to create a roadmap to direct current and future agricultural businesses into the global reality of agriculture. Pickaway County stands at a crossroads in its agricultural heritage. With metropolitan Columbus at the northern edge of the county, many feel helpless against encroachment and with it the resulting land use changes while others see a wide array of opportunities.
This economic development plan currently being developed by local partners engaged in agriculture and the county economic development office will best guide the community to retain and enhance current agricultural businesses and provide a framework for new agricultural entrepreneurs. The process of creating an even more supportive culture for jobs and prosperity for Pickaway County through agricultural economic development planning will be achieved through a more encompassing community-based process.
Ultimately through this process strategies will be developed to support the creation of value-added agribusinesses that compliment Pickaway County’s production agriculture sector. Even more importantly as a result of this process, a larger and more diverse number of community volunteers will be engaged in the exchange of ideas, be active collaborators with business, government, and other agricultural communities in Pickaway County.
Although early the early stages of development, the Pickaway Competitiveness Network (PCN) Agriculture Steering Committee has created a vision, mission and some clear strategies for taking Pickaway County Agriculture forward.
Vision-Pickaway County residents prosper through the opportunities created by the food and agriculture sector.
Mission-The PCN Agricultural Steering Committee represents agriculture to PCN and Pickaway Progress Partnership (P3) and provides support as they promote homegrown entrepreneurship, new investment and the value of Pickaway County’s existing strengths in food and agricultural business.
Strategies
• Create Paths to Success for Existing Businesses, Entrepreneurs and New Businesses in Pickaway County, Ohio
• Brand Pickaway County’s agricultural assets
Three immediate goals of the committee for 2012 are to:
1. Assist entrepreneurs to establish successful food and agricultural businesses in Pickaway County.
2. Help attract new food and agriculture business investment to Pickaway County
3. Promote the value and increase demand for existing food and agricultural products grown in Pickaway County.