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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Some Ohio farmers are flying to Washington today to talk to policymakers about the importance of protecting local and organic family farms.

Congressional agriculture committee members are drafting language for the 2012 Farm Bill to send to the so-called “super committee” this week. MacKenzie Bailey, policy coordinator for the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association, says the bill typically takes an entire year to write, but legislators are crafting it in just two weeks.

“This is the fastest food and farm bill decision-making process in history. And here in Ohio it’s essential that we protect programs that contribute to the success of local and organic family farmers.”

In the past few weeks, advocacy groups have been submitting their suggestions to lawmakers for the farm bill, and Bailey says her association is supportive of a bill introduced by Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, this week. The Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act would prioritize consumer access to healthy, fresh food and help Ohio farmers by addressing production, aggregation, marketing and distribution needs.