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Message from the Director
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At the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, we bring knowledge to life with
top scientists and facilities. Our outstanding research makes a difference in
the world around us. At the OARDC you'll find examples of:
- World-renowned scientists. OARDC's internationally recognized
scientists are the go-to people when diseases, such as the deadly SARS
(severe acute respiratory syndrome), emerge. More than $3 million in grant
funding was awarded to OARDC in 2004 to study animal coronaviruses as a way
to learn about the human disease.
- Strong businesses. Ohio's rapidly growing urban areas have
increased demand for Ohio's garden center and landscape companies to the
tune of $1.69 billion per year. OARDC and its Urban Landscape Ecology
Program are making sure that homeowners are spending their dollars on not
only aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally sound practices.
- Economic impact. OARDC's research brings dollars and jobs into
Ohio's economy. The soybean program alone generates $191 million in economic
output each year and supports more than 4,000 jobs. Food-grade varieties of
soybeans developed by OARDC breeders account for 87 percent of food-grade
soybeans grown in Ohio.
- Protected environment. Wastewater from food-processing plants can
have up to 10 times more particulates and pollutants than wastewater from
homes, and conventional methods to clean it are expensive-costing a business
up to $500,000 a year—and sometimes fail. OARDC scientists developed
innovative, effective filters of sand and gravel called aerobic fixed-film
treatment units. The filters cost about the same to build as conventional
facilities, are more reliable, and since they virtually run by themselves,
their operating costs are much lower.
- Healthy people. In 2003, the Centers for Disease Control
estimated that obesity-related medical costs amounted to $75 billion. Nearly
one-third of children are considered at risk for being overweight. OARDC
scientists are conducting studies with parents to identify barriers to
overcoming the problem and are working with community leaders to develop
plans to address it.
- Safe food. Food-transmitted diseases currently cause an estimated
200 deaths, 13,000 hospitalizations, 3 million illnesses, and $540 million
in annual losses in Ohio alone. OARDC researchers are targeting food-safety
information to those most at risk from illness (such as pregnant women,
people undergoing chemotherapy, people receiving transplants) and their
health-care workers.
We hope you find this web site to be informative. Thank you for your
continued support of OARDC.
Sincerely,
Steven A. Slack
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