MEDINA, OHIO – U.S. Congressman Max Miller (OH-07) on Wednesday met with his Agriculture Advisory Council to discuss the path forward for the Farm Bill and hear more about current challenges facing Ohio’s agriculture industry, including the historic drought. This was the Congressman’s 7^th meeting with the Council, which first convened at the Ohio State University’s Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster March 2023. 

“I’m always grateful for the opportunity to talk with my Agriculture Advisory Council and hear first hand about the issues impacting Northeast Ohio’s farmers and producers,” said Congressman Miller. “The members of the Council have been instrumental in making sure that Ohio’s priorities are well represented in the Farm Bill, and I will keep working closely with them to be sure Ohio’s voice is always front and center on agriculture policy.” 

At the meeting, the Congressman highlighted some of his recent work in Washington on behalf of Ohio’s agriculture industry, including sending a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack asking for expanded flexibilities for Ohio farmers and producers who are struggling with the impacts of one of the state’s worst droughts in recent history. The Council also talked about the potential path forward for an updated Farm Bill. The Congressman has been a vocal advocate in support of passing a Farm Bill to provide long-term stability for America’s farmers, ranchers, producers, and consumers. Miller has argued that the Farm Bill is necessary to meet the agriculture industry’s present-day challenges. Finally, Miller also referenced legislation he recently introduced, which would promote innovation in agriculture and support a more affordable food supply for consumers. 

Agriculture Advisory Council members updated the Congressman on key issues such as the Farm Bill, agriculture research, expanding trade, and how Ohio producers can continue to contribute to our nation’s renewable fuel supplies, among others. They also discussed recent drought conditions, which have had significant impacts, particularly on the broader state’s farm production. 

Editor’s note regarding Congressman Miller’s Agriculture Advisory Council:  

Congressman Miller’s Agriculture Advisory Council is comprised of farm leaders from throughout Ohio’s 7^th Congressional District and provides insights on issues impacting the region’s agriculture sector. Congressman Miller regularly turns to the Council for input and advice to inform his work on the House Agriculture Committee. 

Members of the Agriculture Advisory Council are: 

• The Honorable Bob Gibbs, Former Member of Congress 
• Director Brian Baldridge, Ohio Department of Agriculture 
• Dave Dotterer, Ohio Soybean Association 
• Kirk Merritt, Ohio Soybean Association 
• Brandon Kern, Ohio Soybean Association 
• Dave Shoup, Ohio Pork Producers 
• Cheryl Day, Ohio Pork Producers 
• Jean Bratton, Centerra Coop & Ohio AgriBusiness Association 
• Pam Haley, Ohio Cattlemen’s Association 
• Elizabeth Harsh, Ohio Cattlemen’s Association 
• Roger Maurer, Ohio Corn & Wheat Association 
• Luke Crumley, Ohio Corn & Wheat Association 
• Mark Dotterer, Ohio Dairy Producers Association 
• Scott Higgins, Ohio Dairy Producers Association 
• Tom Demaline, Nursery Representative 
• Jed Portman, 80 Acres Farm 
• Roger Baker, Ohio Farm Bureau
• Amanda Denes-Diedrick, Ohio Farm Bureau 
• Jimmy Croskey, Ohio Farm Bureau 
• Kurt Steiner, Ohio Farm Bureau 
• Bill Simmons, Ohio Farm Bureau 
• Jack Irvin, Ohio Farm Bureau 
• Brad Bailes, Ohio Farm Bureau 
• Lindsay Tournoux, Ohio Farm Bureau 
• Heather McCann, Dairy Farmers of America 
• Becca Winkler, Dairy Farmers of America 
• Jim Chakeres, Ohio Poultry Association 
• Matt Vodraska, Fruit & Vegetable Representative 
• Roger High, Ohio Sheep Improvement Association 
• Nicole Wolcott, Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association 
• Milo Petruziello, Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association 
• Beau Ingel, The Ohio State University 
• Adam Ward, The Ohio State University 

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.  

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