At the recent Rural Community Assistance Program conference in Columbus, Sherrod Brown was named the “Rural Champion of the Year.” The award highlights Sherrod’s rural development accomplishments as Senator. One of his most prominent successes was his fight to pass the Farm Bill, and the amendment he wrote to the bill that was ultimately included in its passage.

The amendment helped Ohio communities update wastewater and sewer infrastructure systems, provided access to capital for Ohio agricultural producers and small businesses, and provided technical assistance to beginning farmers. It also provided support for programs critical to Ohio farmers—programs that have been requested by more than 185 organizations, and that provide working capital for on-farm processing, financial assistance to businesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees, and infrastructure updates.

The farm bill not only puts an end to the requirement that farmers pay for crops they don’t grow, it also saves taxpayers $23.4 billion.

“Strong rural communities and a thriving rural economy demand investment in business development and basic infrastructure,” Brown said. “That’s why I fought to include support for rural communities in the 2012 farm bill and why I am working to pass a five-year farm bill that would create jobs, boost development, and promote growth in Rural America. It’s what R-CAP and the rural development leaders at today’s conference do every day and I am honored to receive this award.”