ABE Center

The Ohio State University Extension Agricultural Business Enhancement (ABE) Center began on July 1, 1992 in Toledo, Ohio and moved to Bowling Green, Ohio on July 1, 1994. The original focus of the ABE Center was agricultural economic development projects, agricultural products business plan development, educational programming and consumer horticulture. The consumer horticulture department was probably the most well recognized and successful program.  In October, 2004, the ABE Center reorganized and identified horticulture, beef marketing and agriculture and horticulture labor education as its primary strengths. As a result, the OSU Extension Green Industry Center was born and all consumer horticulture programs were phased out during 2005.  

Beth Fausey, PhD, joined the ABE Center as the Floriculture Program Manager in September, 2005 and effective August, 2006 she was named Director of the ABE Center. 
Becky McCann, ABE Center horticulturist, works with the commercial horticulture program. 
OSU Extension supports the ABE Center with federal funding for the Ohio Family Farms Beef Initiative Network under the leadership of Dan Frobose and for the Ohio Hydroponic Program.  
State funding is provided by the Agriculture and Horticulture Labor Education Program under the leadership of Francisco Espinoza.  

Visit the ABE Center website to learn more about what they have to offer.