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Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) led a letter, signed by members from the Ohio delegation, to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regarding the definition of "rural" counties as it applies to qualified mortgages under the Ability-to-Repay (ATR) rule. This coming January, the CFPB will implement its rule to restrict "balloon"… Read more »

LIMA —  Ohio farmers and agriculture leaders from the state sent a clear message to Congress on their annual lobbying trip to Washington: They want to see a farm bill approved soon. About 100 Ohio Farm Bureau members took part in the meetings this past week with members of Ohio’s delegation that included a session with U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, who told the group that he… Read more »

Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) has cosponsored bipartisan, bicameral legislation, which was introduced today to reform current U.S. sugar policy. Specifically, this bill would repeal the sugar loan program, the marketing allotment, and the price support. “The current sugar policy was initially set to expire in 1940 and includes outdated sugar policies that artificially inflate… Read more »

Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) joined a bipartisan letter, led by Congressman Bob Gibbs (R-OH), urging for a market-driven approach to Title I provisions in the final Farm Bill.  “Given the current economic climate, coupled with unpredictable farming conditions, it is imperative that we offer farmers the flexibility needed to plant crops according to market demands. I’m… Read more »

Just like the batches of candy at Spangler Candy Company, America’s sugar policies have been mixed, blended, and twisted for over 75 years. Originating back to 1934, the Sugar Act was created to stabilize sugar prices and protect sugar farmers during the Depression. This program, which was initially set to expire in 1940, includes outdated sugar policies that artificially inflate prices,… Read more »

The American Farm Bureau Federation, in conjunction with Ohio Farm Bureau, has recognized Congressman Bob Latta (R- Bowling Green) as a recipient of the Friend of the Farm Bureau Award. Congressman Latta received the award for his support on policies that help to advance and strengthen agricultural communities and rural America. “As the representative of the largest agricultural district… Read more »

Today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it would designate 85 counties in the state of Ohio as primary natural disaster areas due to the losses caused by the drought and other natural disasters that have occurred throughout the 2012 crop year. Read more »

Today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it would designate Williams County as a primary natural disaster area and Defiance, Fulton, and Henry counties will be designated as contiguous counties. These designations allow for farm operators within these counties to be considered for certain assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Defiance and Fulton… Read more »

Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) and David Daniels, Director of Ohio Department of Agriculture will be touring farms throughout northwest Ohio to view areas of distress due to the drought. The first tour will begin in Fulton County on Monday, August 6, 2012. Congressman Latta and Director Daniels will meet with farmers to discuss the problems and issues they have encountered… Read more »

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a public statement on April 26, 2012, indicating they would withdraw their September 2, 2011 proposed rule regarding children working on family farms.  Today, the Formal Notice of Withdrawal was published in the Federal Register, which is the final step required to officially withdraw the rule proposal.  You can view the notice here.… Read more »