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Farm groups, urban farmers tell Senate Finance bill would expand youth agriculture pathways
Summary
Proponents testified in support of SB120, which would establish an Urban Farmer Youth Pilot Initiative to expand hands‑on agriculture education and workforce pathways; witnesses described 8 pilot sites, partnerships with land‑grant institutions, and measurable outcomes including produce distributed to families in need.
Proponents told the Senate Finance Committee that Senate Bill 120 would expand hands‑on agricultural education for youth and build workforce pathways. Michael Bailey of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation said SB120 addresses uneven early exposure to agriculture across Ohio and highlighted Farm Bureau programs such as Explore Ag and the upcoming Imagine Ag exhibit at the Ohio State Fair. "In the next 10 years, Ohio will need 470,000 new employees in our food and agribusiness sector," Bailey said, urging the committee to support the bill.
Witnesses from higher‑education extension and community farms described pilot…
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