Farmers need transformative change!!
By Graham Oberly, OFU Member, Oaks and Sprouts, Urbana, OH
Our farm joined Ohio Farmers Union in 2025 because of their focused and democratic approach to real policy and system change. As a direct result of our farm visiting Washington DC as a part of National Farmers Union Legislative Fly-in in 2025 Congresswoman Shontel Brown of the United States House Committee of Agriculture from Ohio 11th came on to learn with abounding energy and open ears about Small and Family Farms this past Friday! Rep Brown met with Ohio Farmers Union members from all across our great state during a tour of our farm in Urbana, Ohio. She heard about challenges facing row crop, livestock, cottage good, and herb & produce farms of all sizes, scales, and business ages. Rep Brown learned about how retailers are facing a shortage of local farmers to provide local food even if the demand exists and the challenge small communities face bringing in sustainable revenue to support wellness from local food and health services.
Ohio Farmers and communities need a new system of support so that we can grow food for Ohio in a scalable, efficient, safe, and financially predictable system. We were honored to have Rep. Shontel Brown spend her time and energy learning about what has worked well for us (ex. simple scalable infrastructure and diverse crops and markets), what was working for us but was not a priority of this administration (ex. USDA LFPA Ohio CAN and USDA SNAP Produce Perks), how we have faced immense challenges from climate change, and what would be helpful in a transformative Farm Bill to rebuild American Small & Family Farms. Rep Brown has been an advocate for Ohio Farmers Union and our own farm since literally the day we met her last summer and we could not be more thankful for her leadership and support as we envision Ohio filled with successful and resilient farms feeding our communities!
Thank you to everyone who joined our special farm tour! Thank you to Kevin Patrick Murray for the beautiful moments captured on the farm. Thank you Ohio Farmers Union and National Farmers Union for your support and commitment! Thank you Rep Shontel Brown and her whole team for making this happen!!