The year 2018 promises to be a very exciting year. It seems like the economy and everything tied to it is in position to grow. Grow bigger. Grow better. Grow longer. I guess the operative word for 2018 is simply “grow.”

Our farmers and those in the agricultural community recognize the word “grow”. It’s one of only a handful of four-letter words used in agriculture fit to print on these pages. (LOL) However, it’s not a word taken lightly. Because regardless of the weather, regardless of the expenses, regardless of the politics, farmers WILL GROW! That’s what they do. Otherwise millions, perhaps billions of people will be affected.

And although our farming community knows its responsibility for the upcoming year, I would like to propose a few ag-related “resolutions” (or as I like to call them “revolutions”) for 2018.

I stand resolved: Not to ask anyone “Is it cold enough for ya?”

I stand resolved: Not to ask anyone “Is it hot enough for ya?”

I stand resolved: To proclaim my non-vegetarian status as often as possible.

I stand resolved: To honor pig farmers by saying thank you for providing the greatest breakfast entree known to man.

I stand resolved: To smell more fresh-cut hay.

I stand resolved: Not to complain about flies … in public.

I stand resolved: Not to blame that egg smell on eggs.

I stand resolved: To teach more non-farmers that an orange triangle does not mean “pass this vehicle as fast as you can.”

I stand resolved: To continue to stay out of the top of the barn during July … August … (or any month associated with bales of straw and/or hay).

I stand resolved: Not to complain about all the free tomatoes I get.

I stand resolved: To have Gretchen can more tomatoes.

I stand resolved: To use more recipes from my 88-year-old mother.

I stand resolved: To grill more broccoli.

I stand resolved: Not to lie about Kobe beef being named after Kobe Bryant.

I stand resolved: To fish more (aquaculture farms) in Ohio.

I stand resolved: Use my smoker more to actually smoke food.

I stand resolved: To allow my cooked meats to rest longer then 10 seconds.

I stand resolved: To consume more Ohio honey.

I stand resolved: To consume more Ohio Syrup.

I stand resolved: To consume more Ohio grapes … after fermentation … (hint, hint).

I stand resolved: To convince more people that not all apples come from that state up north, that not all potatoes come

from Idaho, not all strawberries come from California.

I stand resolved: To show others how consuming too much of a good thing can make you look like WAY too much of a good thing!

I stand resolved: To thank God for our farmers and for wonderful bounty we enjoy daily.

Here’s seeing you, in Ohio Country!