Farmers across the country are facing a perfect storm of volatile markets, rising input costs, shrinking federal support and mounting trade tensions — all with no new farm bill in sight, according to the National Farmers' Union.

“Prices are low, and the time to do something for our family farmers and ranchers is now,” said NFU Vice President Jeff Kippley. “Our safety net right now is inadequate."

Farmers Union members are advocateing for easing the burden on farmers by passing a strong, united and comprehensive five-year farm bill that strengthens the farm safety net, builds upon voluntary conservation programs, fosters fairness and opportunity in the marketplace, delivers fast and reliable risk management programs and garners broad support from both farmers and consumers.

What is the Farm Bill? Click here.  The American Relief Act, 2025, signed into law on December 21, 2024, extended the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (also known as the 2018 Farm Bill) for one year through Sept. 30, 2025. Congress typically renews the Farm Bill every five years. Since 2023, Congress has since passed two one-year extensions. If Congress does not act, this legislation will again expire in October 2025—continuing a cycle of uncertainty that makes it harder for producers to maintain their livelihoods and care for their land.

The League of Women Voters of Kent with the Ohio Farmers' Union, Haymaker Farmers' Market and the Kent Unitarian Universalist Church presented information at a community meeting on May 22 in Kent to discuss issues of food and farm policy and how it affects family farms and families' budgets. The discussion was about the growing concerns regarding tariffs, food safety and farming. 

Speakers challenged the audience to take action at the meeting to support farmers by contacting their Congressional delegations. This page includes messages, contact information, information about effective communication with elected officials and online resources.

MESSAGES FOR LEGISLATORS in emails, letters and calls and on postcards!

Care about food safety/quality?
Did you know food labelled “Product of USA” may come from a foreign country? Products raised or grown in other countries can be imported to the U.S. processed and packaged and labelled.
Ask legislators to :
1. Enact country of origin labelling
2. Tell them you care about food quality
3. Don't be fooled by misleading labels
4. Tell a personal story

Did you know in Ohio farmers can't fix their own equipment? It’s true. If machinery is broken, it can only be fixed by a qualified dealer. This often results in delays in planting, cultivating, and harvesting. Farmers are dependent on the weather and sometimes a few days or weeks can make the difference between crop success and failure.
Ask legislators to:
1. Pass a Right to Repair statewide law
5. Tell them farmers capable of repairing should be able to buy parts and make repairs
6. Tell a personal story.

Ask your U.S. Senator to vote against cuts to SNAP.
Talking Points for Postcard Campaign re: Food Stamps:
●On May 21, 2025, the U.S. House approved the Trump’s Tax Bill, which is scheduled to go to
the Senate and be approved by July 4. This bill included cuts to SNAP benefits, or food stamps,
which will deepen food insecurity, especially in rural communities where SNAP is widely used.
●12% of Ohio’s population uses SNAP. 42 million Americans receive SNAP benefits. 80% of the
U.S. Farm Bill is funding for SNAP.
●This bill cuts 300 billion over 10 years and shifts more of the costs of program to states.
Section 10006 would require all states to cover 5% of the cost of SNAP, starting in 2028. It is
unlikely or uncertain that Ohio’s state legislators would vote to cover these costs. In fact, Ohio
would have the option to exit the program rather than pay 5% of its costs.
●This bill prevents future presidential administrations from increasing benefits without
congressional approval.
●This bill requires parents with children between the ages of 7 and 18 to have a job in order to
receive food Stamps, yet there is no provision for day care.
● 62% of participants have children;
● 43% of participants have family members who are old or disabled; and
● 35% of participants work.

Tips for more effective communication with lawmakers
CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR Politicians can't listen if they don't hear from you! 
https://www.lwvohio.org/contact-your-legislator
 

CONTACTING YOUR LEGISLATOR OR ELECTED OFFICIAL https://my.lwv.org/sites/default/files/leagues/wysiwyg/%5Bcurrent-user:og-user-node:1:title%5D/contacting_legislators.pdf

Making Your Voice Heard How You Can Influence Government Decisions
https://my.lwv.org/sites/default/files/making_your_voice_heard_final.pdf

CONTACT YOUR SENATORS & REPRESENTATIVES

Sen. Bernie Moreno
Cleveland Office
Carl B. Stokes U.S. Courthouse
801 W Superior Ave., STE 1400
Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: 216-522-7272
Website: https://www.moreno.senate.gov/contact

Sen. Jon Husted
R-198 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3353
Website: https://www.husted.senate.gov/contact

Rep. David Joyce
District 14 includes all or part of Geauga, Lake, Trumbull, Portage, Ashtabula counties.

Washington, DC Office
2065 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-5731 

Ravenna Office
449 S. Meridian Street, Room 138
Ravenna, OH 44266
Phone: 330-357-4139
Website: https://joyce.house.gov/

Some areas of Portage County Ohio overlap with Ohio District 13 (Summit County) whose Congressional representative is Emilia Sykes.

Need to find out who your Congressional representative is? Head here to enter your address and find out: https://ziplook.house.gov/htbin/findrep_house.

You can also call the U.S. House of Representatives to find out and contact your Congressperson directly:
Phone: 202-224-3121
TTY: 202-225-1904

RESOURCES TO HELP YOUR VOICE MAKE AN IMPACT ON FOOD & FARM POLICY AND ISSUES OF DEMOCRACY

Ohio Farmers Union: ohfarmersunion.org
National Farmers Union: nfu.org
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition: sustainableagriculture.net
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association: grow.oeffa.org
Haymaker Farmers’ Market: haymakermarket.com
Ohio Farmers Market Network: ohiofarmersmarketnetwork.org
VOTE411: vote411.org
League of Women Voters of Kent: kentlwv.org
League of Women Voters of the US: lwv.org
League of Women Voters of Ohio: lwvo.org
Five Calls App: Download from the App Store