Ohio's dairy industry is about more than just cows and milk --
it is about contributions to the state's economy, the
preservation of the environment, the well-being of animals and
the health and safety of all Ohioans. In Ohio, dairy is big
business. Ohio ranks first in Swiss cheese production, fifth in
the number of dairy manufacturing plants and 11th in milk
production. In Ohio, 3,490 farms with 274,000 dairy cows produce
almost 5 billion pounds of milk annually. Dairy farms also are
vital parts of the communities in which they operate. The dairy
industry contributes $5.2 billion annually to the state economy
and provides approximately 14,500 jobs. Most milk only travels
about 100 miles to get from the dairy farm to the local grocery
store, which means jobs typically remain in the surrounding
area, specifically benefiting the local economy. Because of
their connection to the local community, dairy farmers across
Ohio are committed to taking proactive measures to protect the
environment, including the water s