USDA and Ohio Leaders Team Up to Fight Bird Flu and Strengthen Farms
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visited Ohio with Governor Mike DeWine to meet with farmers and discuss USDA efforts to support family farms and stop the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
“USDA is putting Farmers First. Ohio farmers were hit hard by the spread of bird flu under the Biden Administration, and as Secretary, I have worked to implement a five point plan and roll out additional grants to give Ohio farmers the support they need. Thank you to Governor DeWine for inviting me to visit the Buckeye State and for continuing to lead with America First policies at the state level,” said Secretary Rollins.
Governor DeWine added, “HPAI has been devastating for poultry farmers in western Ohio, so I appreciate that Secretary Rollins came here personally to speak with local farmers and hear what they've been going through.”
Secretary Rollins has worked actively to protect American poultry and egg farmers, lower egg prices, and boost farm resilience. Her five-point plan includes actions like enhancing biosecurity, expanding research funding, and quickening disease detection efforts.
Under USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Ohio received three grant awards totaling $1.4 million to address HPAI. Nationwide, $8.9 million was distributed across 15 grants.
The USDA has awarded $218 million to over 20,000 farmers in Ohio through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) for the 2024 crop year.
The visit highlighted a strong partnership between federal and state leaders to protect farms, improve food security, and uphold America's agricultural strength.