Washington's Slow Response to Ohio's Bird Flu Crisis Is Leaving Farmers to Drown

In Ohio’s rolling fields, where egg farms power a billion-dollar industry, a silent catastrophe has unfolded. Since December 2024, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has ravaged poultry farms, wiping out 15.5 million birds and leaving farmers like those at Weaver Eggs in Versailles reeling. Families who’ve built livelihoods on these flocks now face empty barns and uncertain futures. This isn’t just a farming issue; it’s a food security crisis that threatens every American’s table.

The scale of loss is staggering. Ohio, the nation’s second-largest egg producer, accounts for nearly half of the country’s poultry losses this year. Darke and Mercer counties, hubs of poultry production, have been hit hardest, with ripple effects shaking grain suppliers, processors, and grocery stores. Yet the response from federal and state leaders feels like a patchwork of half-measures, leaving farmers to bear the brunt of a disaster they didn’t create.

This moment demands more than sympathy or photo-ops. It calls for a federal government willing to act decisively, prioritizing farmers and consumers over political posturing. The Biden administration’s missteps have been replaced by a new leadership that touts farmer-first policies, but their actions so far suggest a troubling gap between rhetoric and reality.

Farmers are the backbone of Ohio’s economy, yet they’re being left to fend for themselves. The USDA’s five-point plan, rolled out under Secretary Brooke Rollins, offers grants and biosecurity funding, including $1.4 million for Ohio’s disease response and $218 million in direct payments. But these sums are drops in the bucket compared to the billions in losses. A single farm’s depopulation can cost millions, and the emotional toll on families watching their life’s work vanish is incalculable.

The outbreak’s impact extends beyond the farm gate. A farm worker contracting HPAI in February 2025 raised alarms about zoonotic risks, underscoring the need for robust public health measures. Ohio’s One Health initiative has stepped up with contact tracing and education, but without federal muscle behind it, these efforts risk falling short. The global spread of HPAI, with 949 outbreaks across five continents, shows this is no local problem. It’s a national emergency requiring coordinated, well-funded action.

Some argue the private sector should lead, with farmers footing the bill for biosecurity upgrades. This view ignores the reality: small and mid-sized farms, already squeezed by rising costs and falling prices, can’t shoulder these burdens alone. Expecting them to navigate a global crisis without substantial government support is not just unfair; it’s a recipe for collapse.

Amid the devastation, Ohio’s H2Ohio initiative offers a glimmer of hope. Governor Mike DeWine’s clean water program, highlighted during his tour with Secretary Rollins, promotes practices like the 360 Rain system, which delivers manure precisely to crop roots, reducing nutrient runoff that harms lakes and rivers. This isn’t just about water quality; it’s about building a resilient agricultural system that can withstand crises like HPAI.

Yet H2Ohio’s potential is hamstrung by limited federal backing. Sustainable agriculture technologies, from AI-driven crop monitoring to robotic manure management, could transform farming, cutting environmental impact and boosting productivity. The USDA’s $30.78 billion in 2025 farm relief, including $20 billion for disaster aid, is a start, but it’s largely reactive. Investing in innovation now could prevent future losses, stabilize supply chains, and protect farmers from the next inevitable shock.

Critics might claim these technologies are too costly or unproven. But the cost of inaction is far greater. The global food supply chain loses 30% of its production annually to waste and disruption. Tools like predictive analytics and IoT sensors, already transforming farms, could slash those losses, ensuring food security for millions. Ohio’s farmers deserve a government that bets on their future, not one that leaves them scrambling.

The HPAI crisis exposes a deeper truth: our food system is only as strong as its weakest link. Ohio’s egg shortages have driven up prices, hitting low-income families hardest. Food security isn’t an abstract policy goal; it’s about ensuring every American can afford a carton of eggs. Federal leaders must prioritize equitable access, not just market stability.

The USDA’s egg import commitments and Emergency Commodity Assistance Program are steps in the right direction, but they’re temporary fixes. Long-term solutions, like funding vaccine research and expanding biosecurity, would protect farmers and consumers alike. Ohio State University Extension’s work with farmers shows what’s possible when expertise meets action. Scaling these efforts nationally could prevent the next crisis from spiraling out of control.

Those who advocate slashing farm aid or deregulating agriculture argue it frees up markets. But markets don’t feed people; policies do. Deregulation risks weakening food safety and environmental protections, leaving us vulnerable to more outbreaks and higher costs. A strong federal role ensures no community is left behind, from rural Ohio to urban food deserts.

Ohio’s poultry farmers are fighting for survival, and they’re not alone. Across the country, the HPAI crisis tests our commitment to those who feed us. The federal government has the tools, from disaster relief to cutting-edge research, to turn this crisis into an opportunity for a stronger, more sustainable food system. What’s missing is the will to act boldly.

This isn’t about politics; it’s about people. Farmers, workers, and families deserve a government that fights for them, investing in their resilience and our shared future. Ohio’s crisis is a wake-up call. Let’s answer it with action, not excuses, and build a food system that works for everyone.