WOOSTER, Ohio — As the son of a dairy farmer, Ralph Regula became familiar with the Wooster campus of the Ohio Agricul-tural Research and Development Center (OARDC) when he attended the annual Dairy Day with his father, to learn about the latest research helping Ohio’s dairies.

As a Congressional representative for the 16th District, Regula gained a know-ledge of the work done at the OARDC to benefit U.S. agriculture. On June 8, he was honored for his commitment to research at the center with a sign renaming the new Agrosecurity facility as the Ralph Regula Plant and Animal Agrosecurity Research (PAAR) Facility.

PAAR is the first facility in Ohio and one of only two in the nation equipped to do research on infectious diseases of plants and animals at the BSL-3 (biosafety level 3) and BSL-3 Agriculture safety levels.

“I can’t think of anything that thrills me more than that sign,” Regula said.

Regula noted he read a report predicting the world’s population will increase to nine billion by 2050; feeding them will present a challenge. “These facilities will help us feed those people,” he said.

He said The Ohio State University is a real gem for Ohio and the nation. “’Go Bucks’ means ‘Go Ohio,’” he said. “Ohio State is not just a football leader; it is a leader in the field of research.”

Dr. Gordon Gee, president of OSU, noted PAAR is not just a building – it is a significant facility, allowing top researchers to do solid research in food and animal safety and food security.

“It took a lot of people to make this happen,” said Dr. Bobby Moser, vice president and dean of the OSU College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Science. “We have had great support from the community, the university and the legislature, but Ralph Regula was the most important supporter of this project.

“I want to personally thank you for all you have done for Ohio State and for the OARDC,” he said to the man of the hour.

Regula said Gee and Moser always look out for OSU and quipped that at one point he thought he would need to add an extra desk and chair to his Washington, D.C., office for Moser because of his persistence in garnering support for the project.

Ron Amstutz, Frank LaRose and Larry Obhof were present on behalf of the Ohio legislative body. “When I think about Ralph Regula, I think of his legacy of focusing on the stewardship of our environment,” Amstutz said. “This has been a trademark for him over the years. It is not surprising that he supported this project in the early stages.”

Obhof said naming the facility after the veteran Congressman was a fitting tribute to the care Regula had taken of constituents during his time in office. LaRose added that nothing has caused more strife among people than food insecurity, and the new facility ties agriculture and security in one place, allowing innovative research and ensuring the United States will lead in this area for years to come.

Jack Fisher, executive vice president of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and vice chair of the OSU Board of Trustees, noted Regula has been a strong supporter of the university and OARDC for decades, dating back to his time in the state legislature. That support made it fitting to name the facility after him, according to Fisher.

Dr. Steven Slack, director of the OARDC and vice president of Administration for the College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Science, told the audience that when a tornado ripped the Wooster campus of the OARDC in 2010, it did not slow things down. Instead, according to Slack, the tornado allowed it to refocus and advance in important areas such as the construction of the PAAR facility – adding a bright spot to an otherwise devastating situation.