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For Immediate Release
May 16, 2008

COLUMBUS, Ohio (OFBF) - The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) applauds a bipartisan group of Ohio’s Capitol Hill legislators for their support in passing farm legislation benefiting all Americans while encouraging production to help stabilize food prices.

Both the House and Senate this week approved the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, better known as the 2008 Farm Bill, by an overwhelmingly bipartisan, veto-proof margin, sending both the veto-threatened bill and a message to the president.

"We are proud of those in Congress who stood steadfast and supported this farm bill that provides assurance and stability to our food system,” OFBF Senior Director of National and Regulatory Affairs Adam Sharp said. “This is needed now more than ever given rising world food demand and a weakening dollar that’s affecting food supplies and prices everywhere."

Members of the Ohio Congressional Delegation who voted in support of the farm bill include: Sen. Sherrod Brown, Reps. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Marcy Kaptur, Steve LaTourette, Bob Latta, Ralph Regula, Tim Ryan, Zack Space, Betty Sutton, Michael Turner and Charlie Wilson (*Rep. Jean Schmidt was unable to vote).

Making record investments in nutrition, conservation, renewable energy, rural development and specialty crop programs, the bill benefits all Americans, while maintaining a safety net for the producers charged with feeding them.

Farm Bill funds provide for:

• A basic no-frills safety net supporting farmers as they work to provide food and fuel for the United States and the world.

• Food stamps and nutrition programs that aid the needy, increases the availability of healthy fruits and vegetables to schoolchildren and promotes the availability of fresh foods.

• Food aid programs for those in need around the world.

• Rural development programs that improve the economy and quality of life, including efforts to improve broadband access, in rural America.

• Expansion of a conservation program that benefits farmers, communities and the environment.

• The continued development of renewable energies, including those from cellulosic sources.

• A Country of Origin Labeling program that will allow consumers to better understand the source of their food.

• A new interstate shipment of meat program, allowing small- and medium-sized meat processors to experience business opportunities across state lines for the first time.

• Promotion and creation of more farmers’ markets to provide consumers better access to fresh foods.

President Bush is expected to veto the bill. Farm Bureau encourages Congress to override a veto with the same bipartisan support the bill has already received.

CONTACT: Joe Cornely
PHONE: (614) 246-8230
E-MAIL: jcornely@ofbf.org