WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced that $740,096 has been awarded to The Ohio State University Extension in Cuyahoga County to provide training and other resources to local farmers. The Farm Bill funds, distributed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, will help farmers with less than ten years experience develop profitable, sustainable farms.
“Local food production spurs economic development and increases the availability of healthy, fresh foods,” Brown said. “Urban agriculture projects serve people and places most in need of economic opportunities. This program will provide the necessary assistance to jumpstart urban agriculture and expand access to nutritious foods across the region.”
The USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) is an education, training, technical assistance, and outreach program designed to help U.S. farmers.
Brown is the author of legislation that will increase the availability of local, healthy, and fresh foods in schools and underserved communities which can improve overall health while helping local farmers develop profitable new markets.
In 2008, Sen. Brown received the President’s Award from the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) for his work on the 2008 farm bill, from which these funds derive. The award is given each year to a single member of Congress who has actively worked and raised awareness on grower issues. He is a recipient of the “Friend of the Farm Bureau” Award from the Ohio Farm Bureau and the “Golden Triangle” Award from the Ohio Farmers Union. These awards are given to members of Congress who have supported issues important to Ohio agriculture.
Brown chairs the U.S. Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Hunger, Nutrition, and Family Farms. He is the first Ohioan in more than 40 years to serve on the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee.
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