<b>By DOUG GRAVES<br>
Ohio Correspondent</b> </p><p>

DAYTON, Ohio — Ask most about Dayton and the surrounding Miami Valley and you’ll get an earful about the U.S. Air Force Museum, University of Dayton basketball and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. </p><p>
But growers in Montgomery County want citizens in southwest Ohio to know that fresh fruits and vegetables are plentiful and grown in their county. </p><p>
“We need to get people excited and knowledgeable about what it means to eat local foods,” said OSU 4-H Youth and Community Development Coordinator Brian Raison. </p><p>
“Small growers with just a few acres in this county are able to supply a serious amount of food and by doing this we’ll be keeping the money local and supplying jobs as well. And we’re not competing against the local grocery store chains.” </p><p>
According to Raison there are plenty of flower growers, honey producers, fruit and vegetable growers, beef farmers and poultry farmers in Montgomery and surrounding counties who are willing to get on board with this “Miami Valley Grown” effort. </p><p>
“And it’s not just Montgomery County,” Raison said. “We bleed over the borders and want to include adjacent counties to participate. We’re about awareness and education and want to eventually expand to this to an on-line website presence, and perhaps partner with Ohio Proud.” </p><p>
Raison will be conducting a local foods workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at the 2nd Street Market in downtown Dayton starting at 9 a.m. Louise Mikesell-Wireman, manager for the Center for Innovative Food Technology, will discuss marketing strategies to schools, churches, restaurants and local grocers, as well as food tourism. </p><p>
Dan Frobose of the OSU Extension Ag Business Enhancement Center and Beth Fausey, floriculture and hydroponic vegetable educator, will discuss marketing strategies. </p><p>
“Miami Valley Grown will be a dynamic resource that connects local food growers, farmers, and producers with local buyers,” Raison said. </p><p>
“This benefits all involved, including our environment. To accomplish this goal, we must educate our community as to the benefits of buying locally produced foods and goods. In doing so, we will cultivate community as growers and buyers meet, talk, and conduct local commerce.” </p><p>
Dan Foley, Montgomery County Commissioner, asked OSU Extension to lead an initiative to help connect local food growers with local buyers. He noted that the county contained a perfect blend of urban and rural, and that it could serve as a laboratory to study how local economies “connect” in terms of food distribution.  </p><p>From an initial discovery meeting held last summer, the Miami Valley Grown team is developing a course of action that will benefit area growers, consumers, the environment and economy.
“We welcome local farmers and growers, large or small, organic or not, local government and non-profit agencies, restaurants, grocers; farm markets, institutions, such as colleges, and all other interested parties to the workshop,” Raison said. </p><p>
Registration deadline is Feb. 8. Anyone interested should send $10 per person with checks payable to OSU Extension, Montgomery County, 1001 South Main St., Dayton, OH 45409. </p><p>
Call the office at 937-224-9654 for more information.