Enhancing Agriculture and the Environment

Ohio’s diverse agricultural, horticultural and forestry industries contribute more than $100 billion to the state’s economy every year. OSU Extension agriculture and natural resources (ANR) programs assist with technology, marketing and educational support – protecting Ohio’s position in the global marketplace.

OSU Extension also works to help local residents and community leaders enhance and sustain the environment and natural areas throughout the state, balancing economic advancement with environmental sustainability.

Our ANR professionals help producers develop and expand profitable, sustainable farming and other agricultural businesses – thereby creating jobs and economic opportunity for Ohio’s citizens. They also provide leadership, collaboration, consulting, unbiased information, applied research, and access to land-grant university knowledge to address local issues and needs.

Holmes County is unique in that it is home to the largest Amish settlement in the country and brings with it a diverse agriculture. Agriculture in Holmes County is an important part of the local economy – generating more than $126,000,000 in gross receipts. Holmes County agriculture includes livestock, grains, forages, and timber. The county is ranked first in the production of oats, second in hay production, third in cattle and calves, and third in milk cows. There are 1,760 farms in the county with the total land in farms equaling 196,000 acres. The average farm size is 111 acres. The western half of the county includes dairy, forage crops, and is where much of the commercial grain is raised. The eastern half of the county is mostly Amish who raise dairy cattle and forage crops. Many of these farms are smaller in size, both in the number of animals raised and acres grown. More detailed information about agriculture in the county is available from the Ohio Department of Agriculture Agricultural Statistics Service Annual Report or by contacting the local Extension office.

You can also learn more about all OSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources programs at http://agnr.osu.edu.

Extension has been helping all Ohioans build better lives, better businesses and better communities since 1914.