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Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Gov. Strickland announces agriculture center of excellence
The Ohio State University is a fitting choice for the state’s only center of excellence in agriculture, food production and bioproducts. The public research university was established in 1870 as the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College.
Gov. Ted Strickland and Eric D. Fingerhut, chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, announced the Food Production, Supply and Safety Center of Excellence at the Ohio State University on Tuesday, March 30, at the university’s Food Industry Center in Columbus.
Ohio State’s center was named to focus academic and research activities on improving the quality of life through research, learning, policy development and outreach to ensure access to safe, health-promoting foods, according to Board of Regents officials.
Ohio’s agriculture industry contributes more than $98 billion annually to the state’s economy, officials said. The food and beverage manufacturing industry exports equal $25 billion annually. Currently, one of every seven Ohioans is employed in the agriculture and food industries, according to state officials.
“The Ohio State University is continuing its leadership as one of the nation’s preeminent land-grant institutions,” Fingerhut said. “Agriculture remains one of Ohio’s primary economic strengths, and the innovations created by this Center of Excellence will bolster our state’s global leadership within the industry.”

Dave Larsen writes about higher education.
Kelly Mori writes about health and higher education.