From left, John Carney, of Carney Feed Mill, Renee Koerner, of Big Fish Farms, and Don Andrews, of Andrews Farm, were panelists during the Clermont Chamber of Commerce breakfast forum on September 16.

From left, John Carney, of Carney Feed Mill, Renee Koerner, of Big Fish Farms, and Don Andrews, of Andrews Farm, were panelists during the Clermont Chamber of Commerce breakfast forum on September 16.
By Megan Alley
Sun staff

The Clermont Chamber of Commerce served up topics on agriculture during a breakfast forum on September 16.

Cindy Cassell, president of the Clermont County Farm Bureau, served as emcee for the event.

Don Andrews, of Andrews Farm, Renee Koerner, of Big Fish Farms, and John Carney, of Carney Feed Mill, were part of the event’s agricultural entrepreneurial panel.

Andrews, who lives on a 265-acre farm in Wayne Township, grows corn, soy beans, hay and feeder calves.

He prides himself on being a conservative farmer who practices no-till farming and many other conservation practices.

Andrews reminded the audience that beef is a delicacy.

“It takes a lot of food and time to produce beef,” Andrews said.

Andrews also acknowledged the young farmers who were in attendance.

“These are our future leaders,” Andrews said. “It’s not a man’s world, and the career opportunities in agriculture are endless.”

Koerner, who spent most of her career in the wine and food business, produces caviar.

Based in New Richmond, Big Fish Farms is one of the first domestic, free-range caviar producers and is a pioneer in zero-waste aquaculture.

Through a series of reservoir ranches, indigenous paddlefish are grown in protective environments, from hatch to harvest.

“What you grow has to have a sense of place, which is something I learned from the wine industry,” Koerner said. “I grew up in the Midwest, and I wanted to stay here. People say caviar in the Midwest is a little bizarre, but it’s happening.”

Koerner said caviar production takes patience.

“The paddlefish take about eight to 10 years to reproduce,” she added.

Carney is the nutrition specialist and sales manager of his family’s business, Carney Feed Mill in Owensville.

Carney has spent more than 15 years in feed sales. He educates his customers on new products, new methods and new management techniques to better their animals.

“Ninety percent of our business is in horses,” Carney said. “I evaluate animals and dial in a feed program.”

During the forum’s question and answer session, Andrews said that Ohio is a very good place to farm.

“Ohio has been good to us. A lot of our product goes directly to export, and we have good rail, roads and rivers here,” Andrews said.

He added, “The public policy is very good. A lot of things have been good for us.”