Sen Brown and Sec Vilsack

Senator Brown with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and the Ohio State University Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Dean of the College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Cathann A. Kress.

Sen Brown and a cow

COLUMBUS, OH – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited the Ohio State University College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences to view the University’s cutting-edge agriculture research, and discuss how the Biden agenda will support the Ohio ag industry and translate that innovation into more Ohio jobs. During the visit, Brown and Sec. Vilsack announced that Ohio State is receiving a $1.2 million grant for climate-smart agriculture programs, including research into the use of robotics for nutrient application.

“Our state is going to lead the country in developing the next generation of ag technology and climate-smart agriculture,” said Brown. “Our farmers are going to lead the country in deploying these practices, to grow their businesses, increase their yields, and support jobs and fight climate change – and the Build Back Better agenda is going to help make it happen.”

“I was glad to join Senator Brown this morning to see firsthand the work being done at Ohio State University to develop climate-smart agriculture practices and conservation measures that will help producers mitigate the effects of climate change and increase the resilience of their operations,” said Sec. Vilsack. “These efforts are excellent examples of the innovative technologies, partnerships, and solutions that are necessary as we look to address the climate crisis, build resilient operations, and support farmers in their commitment to protecting and enhancing natural resources. By greatly expanding investments in this field, the Biden-Harris Administration's Build Back Better Agenda will position agriculture to contribute significantly to climate mitigation and meet the Nation’s climate goals while continuing to produce the food, feed and fiber required to meet the demands of a growing population.”

“Through our teaching, research, and Extension the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences serves local, state, national, and global needs in the food, agricultural, and environmental sciences,” said Cathann A. Kress, Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Dean of CFAES. “As the cornerstone college of our comprehensive land-grant university, our purpose - we sustain life -touches nearly all disciplines and challenges facing society.”

The Build Back Better plan will invest nearly $30 billion in next-generation, climate-smart agriculture solutions. This funding will mean more economic opportunities for American farmers, creating more and better markets for producers and consumers, and addressing the climate crisis. 

As the longest serving Ohio senator on the Senate Agriculture Committee, Brown has long worked to secure important wins through legislation and by speaking out against harmful proposals that threaten the health of Ohio’s environment and agricultural economy.

Earlier this year, Brown joined Columbus transit leaders and riders to discuss how the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – which is now law – would help public transit agencies invest in expanding service for Ohioans, job training, and new low and no-emission buses.

In July, Brown reintroduced bipartisan legislation to encourage investment in biodigester and nutrient recovery systems, while establishing a market for farmers who already have a surplus of waste materials that can be used for biogas production. Brown and Thune’s bill, the Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Act, will help expand the market for renewable biogas by providing a 30 percent investment tax credit to help offset the upfront costs associated with building biodigester systems.   

In June, Brown introduced the Sustainable Skies Act, new legislation to fight carbon emissions and promote the transition to sustainable aviation fuel. The legislation would create a tax credit starting at $1.50 per gallon for blenders that supply sustainable aviation fuel with a demonstrated 50% or greater lifecycle estimate reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to standard jet fuel.

In June, Brown visited school officials and other local partners at Federal Hocking Middle School’s Farm-to-School program to celebrate the program and discuss his efforts to support local agriculture and address child hunger. Brown recently reintroduced his Kids Eat Local Act, bipartisan legislation to support local and regional food systems. The legislation would allow schools to use “locally grown, locally raised, and locally caught” in procurement requests. This bill would help create new markets for farmers and new healthy options for schoolchildren. Brown also recently introduced the Farm to School Act, legislation to renew an important nutrition program that supports both school-aged children and local producers. The bipartisan bill would build on the successes of the USDA’s Farm to School Program, which supports initiatives that deliver fresh, local foods to schools nationwide. 

Brown helped secure investments for Ohio water infrastructure projects as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA 2020). WRDA 2020 invests in key water infrastructure projects to be studied, planned and developed by the Corps, including our nation’s ports, inland waterways, locks, dams, flood and coastal storm protection and ecosystem restoration.

Brown secured $320 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) in the 2020 appropriations package. Brown also spoke out against the President’s 2021 budget, which would have cut USDA conservation programs that help improve water quality in Lake Erie. Brown worked together to ensure GLRI was not only reinstated but also fully funded after then-President Trump proposed eliminating the program in 2018.

Brown was also able to include several provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill to protect Lake Erie and Ohio Waterways. The final bill includes provisions from Brown’s bipartisan Give Our Resources the Opportunity to Work (GROW) Act, which will better utilize existing federal conservation programs to protect waterways and expand access to quality farmland.

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