GENEVA, OH – As the Ashtabula Star Beacon reported last week, last winter’s harsh conditions caused widespread crop loss for agricultural producers – especially grape growers. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) visited Geneva today to meet with Ohio wine producers during a roundtable and also announced new federal assistance available to agricultural producers.

“Ohio’s wine and grape industry brings in nearly $800 million each year, and that will only continue to grow,” Brown said. “But this past winter was one of the worst this area has ever seen and so many businesses are still feeling the effects. That’s why we’re here today – to work together to discuss what we can do to make sure this industry continues to succeed.”

According to a January 2014 report, the Ohio wine industry contributes more than $780 million to our state’s economy. In 2012 alone, the industry was responsible for more than 5,200 jobs and brought more than 2.7 million tourists to Ohio’s wineries. 

The first Ohioan on the Senate Agriculture Committee in more than 40 years, Brown also discussed his efforts to continue the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) – which was included in the 2014 Farm Bill and provides financial assistance to growers of trees, bushes, and vines. Brown also noted improvements made to the Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) in the 2014 Farm Bill.

Brown worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Small Business Administration to make resources available for producers in 22 Ohio Counties – including Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Portage, Summit, and Trumbull Counties – following freezing weather conditions between January 2, 2014 and April 17, 2014.


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