MEDINA, OHIO – U.S. Congressman Max Miller (OH-07) urged U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack in a letter to provide immediate support for Ohio’s farmers struggling with impacts from the severe drought and asking for increased flexibility for Ohio farmers and producers to deal with the lasting impacts. The drought presents significant challenges for the state’s agriculture industry and food supply. 

“Due to the drought conditions, livestock forage growth has been stunted—an issue that will take time to resolve. Therefore, enabling expanded emergency haying of eligible Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres, including further eligibility through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program and State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement programs, is critical to ensuring that our farmers can keep their heads above water,” Congressman Miller wrote, in part. 

In his letter, Congressman Miller urged Secretary Vilsack to consider the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s request of USDA to provide Ohio farmers relief from the drought’s impacts by allowing enhanced flexibility in livestock grazing. Many livestock producers have reportedly exhausted options to provide feed for their herds and according to USDA, major portions of Ohio pasture lands are considered in the poor to very poor range. 

Congressman Miller, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, highlighted the significant impacts not only to livestock, but also to major field crops, fruit and vegetable production, and other key Ohio farm products. 

Read the full letter here. 

Editor’s note regarding Congressman Miller:  

Congressman Max Miller represents Ohio’s Seventh District which includes Medina and Wayne counties as well as parts of Cuyahoga and Holmes counties. Miller serves on the House Agriculture Committee and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for which he is also Chairman of the Environment Subcommittee. The Republican freshman members selected Miller as their representative to the Republican Steering Committee.  He is a member of the Republican Study Committee, Main Street Caucus, and the Congressional Jewish Caucus. Before joining Congress, Miller spent six years in the Marine Corps Reserves and served in several senior positions for President Donald Trump. Please visit http://maxmiller.house.gov for more information. 

###