Ohio farmers have long been facing challenges in reaching new markets for their agricultural produce while competing with larger agribusinesses. However, Senator Sherrod Brown, who serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Veterans Affairs Committee, is striving to help Ohio farmers sell more within their communities through bipartisan efforts.
As part of the efforts, roundtables are held all around the state leading up to every Farm Bill to understand Ohio farmers' needs. Senator Brown heard a common message during these events in 2017 and 2018. Ohio farmers want to find new markets for their products, but they face difficulties in competing with big agriculture and reaching Ohio families who prefer locally grown food.
To address these challenges, Senator Brown fought to include the Local FARMS Act in the 2018 Farm Bill. The act makes it simpler for farmers to feed their communities and for consumers to buy local Ohio food and farm products. Additionally, the LAMP program, created under the Farm Bill, provides permanent funding to assist farmers in selling their products directly to consumers, creating rural jobs, and investing in local and regional food economies.
Through the introduction of the Local Farms and Food Act, Senator Brown aims to build on the successes of the last Farm Bill and help Ohio farmers have the necessary tools and support to sell their products in their communities. By buying local Ohio food, consumers can create jobs and opportunities in regions often overlooked in Washington and exploited by corporate America.
Photo Credit: GettyImages-valentinrussanov
Categories: Ohio, Rural Lifestyle