REGISTER VIEWPOINT: We're growing greener

Ohio is growing! Maybe not in size or population or in destinations for star professional athletes, but growing nonetheless -- and joining the green movement to boot.

Erie County's Master Gardeners are guiding youth through several phases of gardening in their 10-week program that culminates with a presentation of the fruits of the kids' labor at the Erie County Fair in August. No one is too young to learn where food comes from or how it gets from the earth to the table.

In Huron, the McBride Arboretum is upgrading its parking lot, entrance and bathrooms to make them more user-friendly to those who wish to commune with nature in one of the area's most serene locations.

At Ohio Veterans Home, Kurt Farenchak has put his gardening skills to use by growing tobacco plants. The hobby provides exercise and focus now and will provide a year's worth of smokes later.

Farmers' markets and local produce stands are bringing low cost, fresh foods to area residents, benefitting both the growers and the consumers.

Chef's Garden continues to research, cultivate and grow premier vegetables that supply chefs around the country, while its sister business, Culinary Vegetable Institute strives to educate fourth graders nationwide on the growing process.

And not to be overlooked are Ohio Department of Transportation efforts to grow an eco-friendly Green Noise Wall along Interstate 70 near Columbus. The growing barrier wall, which has been called the Chia Pet of sound walls, will be evaluated as to its cost and efficiency compared to unsightly and unforgiving concrete barrier walls which line the highway.

Green thumbs up to them all.