WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) has awarded a $2,000,000 match grant to the Ohio State University at Mansfield. These funds will go toward the development of an urban sustainable food system project in Mansfield.
“The Ohio State University is home to some of the nation’s leading agricultural researchers, and the Mansfield campus is no exception,” Brown said. “This grant will allow OSU researchers to develop and create greater access to fresh fruits and vegetables in Mansfield and across Ohio.”
The goal of the project is to increase access to fresh produce, while also supporting the local economy. The project will provide training and supplies to approximately 12 producers in the area, and offer assistance with cultivating their products to increase sales.
The FFAR was established in the 2014 Farm Bill, with the goal to grow and develop partnerships to support innovations focused on addressing today’s food and agriculture challenges. FFAR provides one-to-one matching funds through public and private resources to increase the scientific and technological research critical toward enhancing sustainable production of food for the growing global population.
Brown has been a leader for Ohio’s rural communities, fighting to secure a strong Rural Development title in the recently passed 2018 Farm Bill and the 2014 Farm Bill. He is the first Ohioan to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in more than 50 years.
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