Touring the multi-generational Raines Farm in Adams County                 

Recent Update: Joined a letter expressing my support for eliminating trade barriers for American agriculture products in an upcoming trade deal with nearly a dozen nations.

Our district is rich in natural resources and agriculture is an important part of Ohio’s economy.  Corn, soybeans, wheat, and cattle are just a few of our agricultural assets. We need to level the playing field for agriculture so our farmers can better compete and prosper in the marketplace.  We must also get the government out of the way by keeping taxes and regulations low, allowing farmers to do what they do best without interference from Washington. In that vein, I strongly support permanent repeal of the death tax, which punishes a lifetime of hard work and investments made by family farmers.

Farmers are America’s original small business owner, and their legacy of hard work was and is fundamental to the strength of our nation. This summer, the House passed the first “farm only” farm bill in decades. This victory separated agriculture issues from food assistance and food stamps, allowing each issue to be considered and voted on separately.

No one knows agriculture issues better than the farmers who are working their fields every day, and I always enjoy visiting and learning from southern Ohio’s farmers. This summer, I spent a day with the Raines family on their Adams county farm, learning about their successful multi-generational operation. I also sat down with the Highland County Chamber of Commerce for an agriculture round table with local farmers, listening to the challenges they face every day.

Cosponsored Legislation

H.R.311 - Farmers Undertake Environmental Land Stewardship Act
H.R.693 - Sugar Reform Act of 2013

Bills Which Passed the House

S. 622 - Animal Drug and Animal Generic Drug User Fee Reauthorization Act of 2013
H.R. 2642 -Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (FARRM)

Other Action on Agriculture

I joined this letter to the EPA asking why they leaked farmer’s sensitive private information to environmental groups. We must hold government bureaucrats accountable.