News

Putting a face with the issues

The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) wrapped up their 67th annual County Presidents Trip to Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, March 6. OFBF President Steve Hirsch of Ross County said the delegation did a great job of talking about the issues important to agriculture.

“They put a face on the Farm Bill, they put a face on immigration reform, they put a face on food safety, all of those issues that are important,” said Hirsch. “They said how important it is to farmers in their community or to their family farm and that’s what’s needed when you get here to D.C.”

Audio: Steve Hirsch, President, OFBF (2:30 mp3)

Before heading back to Ohio the County Presidents heard from both Senator Sherrod Brown and Senator Rob Portman.

Brown, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee told the County Presidents that while the latest Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report was disappointing when it comes to the Farm Bill, the Senate Ag Committee understands what they have to work with.

“We still know we can save significant dollars for taxpayers, at the same time contribute to the budget deficit and at the same time we’re gonna strengthen farm programs and strengthen the safety net and especially what we can do with crop insurance,” Senator Brown said. “I’m still optimistic about the direction we move, I just wish the numbers were a little better.”

Audio: Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown (1:05 mp3)

Senator Portman talked with the Ohio Farm Bureau delegation about a number of key issues, including the importance of President Obama requesting Trade Promotion Authority (TPA).

“This President is the first since FDR not to ask for it, or to have it until last week and last week it’s my understanding he did say he’d like to ask for Trade Promotion Authority,” said Portman. “I’m all for it, I’ve introduced legislation to do it, I’m going to work with anybody, right, left or center, Republican or Democrat who wants to do it, why, because we need our farmers to be at the bargaining table to open up these other markets around the world that are very protectionist for the most part on agriculture, we’ve got real opportunities if we can get these markets open.”

Audio: Ohio Senator Rob Portman (1:45 mp3)