Sunday starts National Agriculture Week, a good time to remember what farming has meant to the region's suburban counties.

        Driving north on Interstate 75 to West Chester Township in Butler County, you'll see busy highways and chain stores and subdivisions — the land of agriculture past.

        Gone are the silos that once dotted the landscape. In their places stand fat water towers that quench thirsts of suburban families who know nothing about what came before them.

        “It's sad to think there are actually children out there who do not realize that chocolate milk doesn't come from a chocolate cow ...,” said Julie Dalzell, a local extension agent who works with 4-H youth development.

        In 1969, 1,346 farms operated on 196,417 acres in Butler. Today, about 849 farms work fewer than 134,000 acres.

        As growth continues to roll north, it will take more land. Nobody knows exactly what all this will mean in 20 years.

        Will eastern Butler be a massive subdivision? What will be left of the county's farm lifestyle and economy?

        Across Ohio, agri-business is a $73 billion industry that provides 1 million jobs. People process, pack, market and distribute food; conduct research; teach others how to plant; and engineer crops and fields.

        “Local retail stores, feed dealers, grain elevators, equipment dealers and many veterinarians all depend on their farmer patrons,” Ms. Dalzell said.

        “Local greenhouses and nursery businesses raise and sell a variety of plants, shrubs and trees to homeowners all over the country.

        “Agriculture is truly everywhere and touches everyone in most every way.”

        BATAVIA — Gov. Bob Taft has proclaimed March 17-23 as Severe Weather Safety Awareness Week.

        The Clermont County Dept. of Public Safety Services wants citizens to be prepared.

        The agency suggests people develop evacuation plans and discuss how to find shelter in case a tornado warning is issued.

        Information: www.co.clermont.oh.us.

        HAMILTON — The 8th annual Sonny Therrien Memorial Soccer Tournament will be today and Sunday at Joyce Park. The event brings together the better young soccer players from six states.

        Today, the first game starts at 8 a.m. and the last at 5:45 p.m. On Sunday, at 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

        Admission is free. Information: 785-7060.

        WAYNESVILLE — A tree planting is set for 9 a.m. March 23.

        Volunteers will plant 100 tree seedlings from the National Tree Trust.

        Meet at the municipal building, 136 N. U.S. 42.

        Information: Village Manager Kevin Harper, 897-8015.

        GLENDALE — For people who've asked for directions to the Glendale Preservation Pancake Breakfast: take I-275 to Ohio 4 and go south to Sharon Road, then east. Or take I-75 north to the Sharon Road exit, and go west.

        Breakfast will be served from 7 a.m. to noon March 23 at the town hall auditorium, above the fire house at 80 E. Sharon St.

        Randy McNutt's community column appears on Saturday. Contact him at The Enquirer, 7700 Service Center Dr., West Chester, OH 45069. Telephone: 755-4158. Fax: 755-4150. E-mail: Rmcnutt@enquirer.com.

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