Many early residents ventured into industrialization with industries and factories based on Ohio's agricultural roots. Today, over 15 million acres of farmland contribute $107 billion to the state’s economy. Food and agribusiness is our largest industry, boasting hundreds of companies that cultivate, process, package, distribute and market food and drinks enjoyed by consumers around the world.
Scientists know that plants emit chemicals into the soil to communicate information to other plants. These chemical messages, sent through fungal networks, may warn plants to defend against threats in their environment or to stop encroaching on another plant’s space.
Stephanie Karhoff grew up on farms with broad fields of soybeans, wheat and corn.
Rice serves as the staple food for more than half the world’s population, especially in tropical Latin America, and East, South and Southeast Asia. Additionally, rice is used in products such as straw and rope, paper, wine, crackers, beer, cosmetics, packing material − even toothpaste.