Much like his dad, Joe shares his knowledge, experience and insight freely. He is actively involved in the Ohio agriculture industry serving as Vice President of the Advisory Council to the Dean of Agriculture at Ohio State University and he also serves as President of Innovative Farmers of Ohio. According to Joe, these organizations focus not only on helping farmers learn how to improve their farming business, but also how they can enhance the rural economy and educate the public.

"Nobody who owns a small family farm can compete with the giant farming corporations," says Joe. "Farmers have to provide customers directly with a value-added product. We have to closely control everything that happens in our milk's production--all the way from the soil to the consumer. The value added quality becomes the knowledge of knowing exactly where the milk comes from," he emphasizes.

"The base of this whole operation is the soil," continues Joe. "You must treat it like a living entity. Why? Because it ultimately determines the whole farming process. Healthy soil benefits plants, which benefit animals, which benefit humans."

Joe communicates his thoughts effortlessly and with conviction. He is one of those blessed individuals who is actually doing something he believes in...and he believes, healthy farming is the best way to produce healthy food.

DID YOU KNOW? The value of milk produced in Ohio in 1994 was $601 million. from Ohio Department of Agriculture