CORTLAND — Saying the state and farm bureaus are able to work together to get things done when put to a task, Secretary of State Frank LaRose praised the work of area farmers and agricultural groups.

LaRose on Monday met with 10 farm bureau and agricultural officials from Ashtabula and Trumbull counties at a roundtable held at the Trumbull Agriculture and Education Center. The event was hosted by the local farm bureau.

During his eight years as a state senator, LaRose had served on the state’s agricultural committee representing Stark, Summit and Wayne counties,

“While I was on the agricultural committee, I worked with farm bureau. I have always said I don’t believe there is a more effective advocacy group at the statehouse than the farm bureau,” he said. “The state officials know they are listening to the voices of Ohio agricultural professionals. These are a group of people ready to tackle some tough challenges instead of just sitting and waiting for something to happen. The farm bureau is very proactive.”

He said the real value of farm bureau is that it’s a network.

LaRose, who grew up in Summit County, said northeast Ohio is known for maple syrup and soybeans. Countries such as China buy soybeans from the United States, including Ohio, he said.

Dan Schwartz, a farmer in the Cortland area, said Ohio, Michigan and Indiana are ideal locations for growing soybeans because they do not face the extreme weather of many central U.S. states.

LaRose said he values his upbringing in a farm town in northeast Ohio.

“I grew up working on a farm, mostly a produce operation such as sweet corn, potatoes, peppers, cabbage, pumpkins and Christmas trees. I loved it. There is no dishonor in an honest day’s work. While my friends were flipping burgers in high school, I loved being able to work on a farm. It taught me a lot about having a good work ethic.”

LaRose said the secretary of state’s two main duties are to help people vote and to help people start businesses.

He said it was challenging to run an election in 2020, which has been called “a stress test for America.”

“The challenges we faced were monumental but we can say we had one of the most successful elections Ohio has ever had. It shows when Ohio’s boards of elections were put to the test, Ohioans stepped up and showed the world how to run a fair and honest election.” LaRose said.

He said more people voted last year than ever before with near 6 million ballots cast and a 74 percent statewide turnout.

“All of Ohio’s 88 counties had a higher number than they have seen in the past. When it comes to participation, it is not even arguable that it was Ohio’s most successful election ever,” he said.

As for businesses, LaRose said despite the challenge, more people started a business during a global pandemic than we have ever had.

“Think of the courage it takes to start a business in the midst of a global pandemic. There was so much uncertainty and last year brought more of it than we have ever had,” LaRose said.

He said in 2020, Ohio had 171,000 new businesses — which he called an incredible number.

“This tells me people decided to take that leap and start a new business. That tells me people were optimistic. Even if a small fraction of those businesses go on to become successful, that is an accomplishment,” he said, indicating only 5 percent of businesses survive five years.