By JANE HOUIN
Ohio Correspondent

BROOKVILLE, Ohio — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, met with southwest Ohio farmers last week to discuss the upcoming farm bill and other national agriculture issues. The first-term senator holds a seat on the agriculture, nutrition and forestry committee.

Brown spent nearly two hours posing questions to the group of about two dozen farmers at the Dull Homestead and Farm in Montgomery County. Brown asked the group if current farm programs were effectively distributing money.

Lane Osswald, a Preble County Farm Bureau member, told Brown that a crop insurance program would be a better way to support farmers who experience losses. He said current subsidy payments are pushing farmers to bid higher for land, which makes it difficult for young or beginning producers to compete.

Brown also asked farmers about federal conservation programs, suggesting that the conservation title of the farm bill may be too complicated.

Bob Peterson, a Fayette County farmer and Ohio Farm Bureau’s president, told Brown that farmers appreciate funding for local agencies such as soil and water conservation districts. He encouraged Brown to seek additional funding for local conservation programs.

Randy Leis, who farms in Montgomery County and is a Farm Bureau state trustee, asked Brown to oppose a federal ban on horse slaughter, saying there are not enough rescue facilities to take in unwanted horses.

Other issues discussed included country of origin labeling, the effect of high corn prices on the livestock industry and social costs of U.S. dependence on petroleum.

Brown said he called the meeting to find out more about how the government can help farmers and when it should stay out of their way. Ohio Farm Bureau is helping to coordinate additional farm tours for Brown in other parts of the state.

Prior to his term in the senate, Brown served as a congressman from Ohio’s 13th district since 1992 after serving two terms as Ohio’s Secretary of State.