WASHINGTON, D.C. — Leaders of Ohio’s 86 county farm bureaus are in the nation’s capital this week for an annual visit to listen, but also to be heard.

  • Ohio Farm Bureau: "Trade complications with China have weighed heavily on the farm economy."
  • Visit is to attend the 73rd annual County Presidents’ Trip.
  • Sen. Sherrod Brown is first Ohio senator on Agriculture Committee in 50+ years

“The pain is real,” said Frank Burkett, the president of the Ohio Farm Bureau, "when we look at the depressed commodity prices; the decline in farm income year over year leading up to this.”

That pain stems from President Trump’s ongoing trade war with China and the on-and-off tariffs that are having a direct impact on Ohio farmers. Spectrum Washington reporter Taylor Popielarz asked Burkett if Congress and the White House understand the anxiety this is causing back home.

“I think they’re understanding it,” Burkett said. “I think that the point of this trip, and many other farm bureaus that bring their delegations actually to Washington, D.C., is to continually emphasize that it is real.”

Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) heard that emphasis at a breakfast with bureau members on Wednesday morning. He’s the first Ohio senator to sit on the Senate Agriculture Committee in more than 50 years.

Brown was asked about the trade war by Ohio agriculture reporters who are traveling with the bureau.

“I have been working to get the president to understand on tariffs, that tariffs are a temporary tool to reach a long-term trade policy,” said Brown, who originally was supportive of Trump’s tariffs before disagreeing with how long they’ve been in place.

On Capitol Hill a few hours later, the farmers heard from Representative Bob Gibbs (R-07), a farmer himself and former bureau president.

“The president said there’s going to be some pain, but if we can bring all this to fruition, I think it’s going to be a good payoff,” Gibbs said.

There’s a long list of topics the bureau wants to address during this year’s trip, from expanding rural broadband to making sure the recently-passed farm bill is implemented as soon as possible.

But one item on the list that gets different reactions from Ohio lawmakers is climate change.

Brown said it’s not a political issue, but one of fact. His advice to Ohio farmers?

“They ought to, if I can say this, quit watching Fox [News] because Fox denies climate change,” Brown said.

Congressman Gibbs offered a different response.

“I think the climate’s been changing ever since time began,” Gibbs said. “I don’t have a problem trying to do things to maybe address it, but I think some of the things being proposed out there, like the Green New Deal, is just ridiculous. It can’t happen.”

The Ohio Farm Bureau will be in Washington through Thursday. It’s the 73rd annual trip the delegation has made.