| demos with Heartland Cuisine; we even
helped the governor and the director of the O.D.A. kick off the
Keep A Good Thing Growing ad campaign that includes aquaculture
as one of the 200 commodities that are grown in Ohio; we have
participated in Sea Grant's Legislator Day; had a display at the
Farm Science Review; we have gotten Gov. Taft and Director Daily
O.D.A. to agree to support aquaculture in any way they can and
with legislation that hopefully will be introduced this next
session we will need their help; we continue to have a great
relationship with the O.D.N.R.; the O.A.A. will be sponsoring
two sections at the World Aquaculture Society meeting in
Louisville, KY in Feb 2003; we have talked with hundreds of
people about aquaculture in work shops, talks and demonstrations
and the list goes on and on.
These things have been done through a Cooperative Group
effort. With the continued support of the great staff at The
South Centers At Piketon and with countless volunteer hours from
our board. Let me encourage you, as we head toward our annual
Banquet with the elections, to elect the individuals who will be
team players so we can continue to further the cause of
aquaculture. Now, here is what we need from you over the next
few months. First, we need you to be part of the team by joining
or renewing your membership in O.A.A. Then, support us with your
presence at the annual banquet, it's going to be the best one
yet. This is an election year in the state. Let your
representatives on every level of government know that
aquaculture is important to you. Call State Rep. Nancy
Hollister's office and let her know that aquaculture is an
important part of Ohio's present and future. Make plans to
attend the W.A.S. meeting in Ky. Feb. 2003. This is as close as
this will ever come to Ohio, so avail yourself to a World Class
meeting of aquaculturalists from around the world. The trade
show alone will be worth the trip.
I would be lying to you if I told you that this last year was
all fun and games, that all stories had a happy ending, or that
we were successful in all that we attempted. The first few
months of this administration's time was spent on resolving
conflicts with board members. Some of our board members lost
close loved ones over this last year. But, that's the way life
is, as I said at the beginning of this letter, and as I look
back the good out weighed the bad, the positive surpassed the
negative, and we have pressed toward the mark of making Ohio a
key player in the world of aquaculture. The future is bright,
the opportunities are endless, the time is NOW to be involved.
Over the next few years aquaculture in Ohio is going to change
more than it has in the last fifty ( 50 ) years. What role do
you want to have in that change?
Let me end by saying thank you for allowing me this
opportunity to serve you in the role of O.A.A. President. And
may GOD bless you and yours.
Your Servant,
Bob Calala |
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October 24-26, 2002 -
PennAqua 2002, Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center, State
College, PA. Theme is Challenges and Opportunities for Aquaculture
Development. Contact Leo Dunn ledunn@state.pa.us
Nov. 15 th & 16 th OAA annual banquet/Alternative
Production Methods NCRAC Workshop
Feb. 18-21 2003 Aquaculture America 2003 Louisville, Ky.
760-432-4270
July 20-24, 2003: The Third International Percid Fish
Symposium Madison, W
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