STAMFORD, N.Y. — Marking one year after President Trump signed U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19)’s bipartisan Family Farmer Relief Act, the Congressman spent the afternoon with farmers in Delaware County. The visit began at the Stamford Farmers’ Cooperative where local agricultural producers sell their products and local farmers can purchase farm goods as well as animal feeds and fertilizers manufactured on site. Rep. Delgado, joined by Delaware Farm Bureau President Duane Martin, toured the feed mill, met with staff at the co-op and learned more about how Southern Tier farmers are experiencing federal COVID-19 relief programs. Following the co-op visit, they toured the Martin Family Farm and discussed how low milk prices are impacting local dairy producers.
“Family farming is a historical tradition in upstate New York, and it is fundamental to our rural way of life. For years, generations of farmers have worked to combat market consolidation. This challenging farm economy has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, which forced dairy farmers to dump milk and has impacted agricultural production across our region. Last year, I worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to introduce and pass the Family Farmer Relief Act to bring Chapter 12 bankruptcy rules in line with the needs of farmers today. Now, a full year later, I’m glad to hear from folks across our district that this law gives producers increased flexibility to remain operational at a pivotal moment for our agriculture industry and regional economy,” said Rep. Delgado, member of the House Committee on Agriculture. “There is much more work to be done to protect and support our family farm operations. I’ll keep working in Congress to make sure our upstate farmers have the resources they need to succeed.”
As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, Rep. Delgado has worked to amplify the voices of family farmers across upstate. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rep. Delgado urged the inclusion of direct disaster assistance measures in the CARES Act, which has been incorporated in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program and worked with members on both sides of the aisle to successfully get farmers access to Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Grants. Last week, Rep. Delgado joined Rep. Jahana Hayes in introducing the Helping America’s Farmers Act which would create an EIDL program run through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency and allow farmers access to the capital they need with terms and requirements that fit their businesses.
–The Office of U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19)
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