DAYTON, OH – Today, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) visited Mike Farm Enterprises in Dayton and participated in an agriculture roundtable to hear about the issues impacting farmers in Southwest Ohio. Agriculture is one of Ohio’s most important industries, contributing more than $100 billion to the state’s economy.
“I enjoyed my time today talking with local farmers in Southwest Ohio,” said Portman. “We discussed a number of issues, including how the excessive amounts of rain this year has prohibited farmers from getting crops in the ground, addressing the threat to livestock posed by black vultures, and how the economy and trade issues are impacting crop prices. Agriculture is one of Ohio’s most important industries, contributing more than $100 billion to our economy and putting food on the table for millions in our state and around the world.”
Portman strongly supported the Farm Bill that President Trump signed into law last year. The Farm Bill helps promote economic development and job creation in our rural communities while providing Ohio farmers with the certainty and predictability they deserve. Senator Portman also supports the U.S.-Canada-Mexico Agreement (USMCA) to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). USMCA would open markets in Canada and Mexico for agricultural products, such as dairy and poultry. In addition, last week Senators Portman and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) urged U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to declare an U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster designation to help Ohio farmers suffering because of extreme rainfall and flooding.
