Faso Highlights House Passage of Farm Bill
Farm Bill Will Directly Benefit New York Farmers
Washington D.C. – Congressman John Faso (R-Kinderhook) today highlighted passage of H.R. 2 – Agriculture and Nutrition Act, more commonly known as the 2018 Farm Bill, by a vote of 213—211. The Farm Bill is an all-encompassing legislative proposal that guides the nation’s agriculture and nutrition policies for the next five years.
The bill includes strengthened work requirements for able-bodied adults accompanied with a historic investment in workforce training so SNAP recipients are on a path out of poverty and into self-sufficiency. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, Faso helped develop the bill.
“Over the past 18 months, I have had the opportunity to travel throughout our Upstate communities learning from our local dairy farmers, organics producers and others whose livelihood is based on supplying the food we feed our families. Based on these experiences, and input from my Agriculture Advisory Committee, I worked with my colleagues to help craft a Farm Bill that will help the Upstate Ag. Community, and put our most vulnerable on a path to future success and independence,” said Faso. “This Farm Bill is needed for the Upstate Agriculture community as they face extremely challenging economic headwinds. Upstate dairy farmers, organics producers, seniors attending farmers’ markets, and veterans transitioning from service to farming will all benefit from this bill. This is a good bill and a great step forward for Upstate New York.”
Representative Faso offered three amendments during previous floor consideration of H.R. 2. List of Amendments:
- Amendment #6 – Expands USDA’s ability to assess natural resource concerns through enhanced measurement, evaluation, and reporting on conservation program outcomes. The amendment is largely the same as the Healthy Fields and Farm Economies Act. (Passed by voice vote)
- Amendment #16 – Provides states the flexibility to contract out administrative functions of SNAP. (Passed by a vote of 222-192)
- Amendment #23 – Improves cooperation with the Forest Service to intercept tree and wood pests and would require a report on the interception of forest pests. With invasive species coming into NY, we must ensure that that we know exactly where these pests are coming from and ensure USDA can respond efficiently.(Passed by voice vote)
Representative Faso developed a list of priorities through consultation with his Agriculture Advisory Committee that were included in the Farm Bill:
Further Changes to Dairy Policy Will Help Upstate Farmers
Dairy farmers are in the midst of a prolonged economic crisis as market conditions, trade barriers, and ineffective government policies have created a perfect storm of damaging factors.
Building on changes included in the Bipartisan Budget Deal, the Farm Bill makes further improvements to the nation’s dairy policies. Included in the legislation is language that increases the top coverage level within the dairy program from $8 to $9 which will further help support small and medium sized farms.
Cracking down on fake organics and supporting upstate organics farmers
Fraudulent organic grain and feed originating overseas are not only deceptive to consumers but it also artificially drives down the prices of legitimate organics, which hurts organic farmers in Upstate New York.
H.R. 3871, the Organic Farmer and Consumer Protection Act, modernizes organic import documentation, invests in new technological advancements, and strengthens the enforcement of organic products entering the United States. The legislation provides the U.S. Department of Agriculture with a robust set of tools to demand accountability and conduct strict enforcement. The text of this bill was included in the base text of the Farm Bill.
The Washington Post featured coverage of Organic Farmer and Consumer Protection Act in a December article.
Aiding Upstate farmers’ markets and our Seniors
Farmers markets are an essential part of our Upstate Agricultural Economy. With nearly 700 locations across the state, these markets are important outlets for farmers to sell their goods and a place for consumers to purchase fresh and nutritious produce.
The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is an effective USDA grant program that provides low-income seniors with coupons that can be exchanged for eligible foods at farmers’ markets.
The majority of grant funds are mandated to be used to support the costs of foods; only 10% of grants can support administrative costs of the program. I introduced H.R. 5316 to reauthorize this beneficial program and ensure seniors have access to affordable and healthy options. The Farm Bill includes a reauthorization of this program.
Supporting farmer mental health
Mental health is a concern in the agriculture community. This is an issue that I’ve discussed with members of my Ag. Advisory Committee and as the market continues to make family farming an increasingly difficult business, it is one that we cannot ignore. Reauthorizing and updating this program will be an improvement for the agriculture industry and the farmers who are its backbone.
The legislative text from the Farm & Ranch Assistance Network through H.R. 5259 – the STRESS Act – is included in the base text of the farm bill. This bill would bring improvement for the agriculture industry and the farmers who are its backbone.
Helping veterans transition from military service to agricultural entrepreneurship
The average age of a farmer is almost 60, while the post-9/11 veteran unemployment rate exceeds 4.5%. The Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas program (ATTRA) is a grant program that facilitates transitioning veterans and younger people entering the agricultural industry. Rep. Faso joined with Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH) in introducing a reauthorization of the program through H.R. 3667, the Veteran and Beginning Farmers Assistance Act. Reauthorization for the program is included in the Farm Bill.
The ATTRA program is the most reliable source for farmers who are looking for resources that can improve their own business, and for young aspiring farmers seeking to join the industry. A press release from the introduction of the legislation is available here.
Invigorating rural Upstate economies
Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) zones are a program administered under the USDA that targets rural communities with unique economic development needs. Representative Faso initially introduced H.R. 5250 to reauthorize the program through 2023. A reauthorization of the program is included in the Farm Bill text.
The REAP program first came to New York in 1999 as two areas in the Upstate region were added the program. Sullivan County and the Town of Wawarsing have both been included as a REAP zone, leveraging this unique distinction access federal funding to finance projects like housing redevelopment and community facility improvements that support regional economic development.
