Rep. Delgado Tours Coon Brothers Dairy Farm with Farm Credit East

Rep. Delgado Tours Coon Brothers Dairy Farm with Farm Credit East


AMENIA, NY 
– Today, U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) toured Coon Brothers Dairy Farm in Dutchess County. Rep. Delgado was joined by representatives from Farm Credit East. The Congressman, Coon family, and Farm Credit East discussed how the third-generation farm has adapted, grown, and worked to remain resilient for generations.

As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, Delgado has been a champion of upstate New York dairy farmers. He introduced the bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which allows for unflavored and flavored whole milk to be offered in school cafeterias. He also introduced the Small Farm to School Act, which incentivizes partnerships between small farms and local schools. After hearing concerns from his local NY-19 Agriculture Advisory Committee, Rep. Delgado secured $350 Million in USDA Funding for dairy farmers impacted by class I mover-related losses. This year, he also voted to pass the bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act, historic legislation that would finally allow dairy farmers to access the H-2A farmworker program and secure the legal workforce they need.

“I’m proud to represent nearly 5,000 farms, including 500 dairy farms in New York’s 19th Congressional District. Farms like the Coon Brothers Dairy Farm, a third-generation farm, are preserving our upstate way of life and supporting our local economy,” said Rep. Delgado. “We must do everything we can to ensure they not only survive this challenging farm economy, but thrive. I want to thank the folks from Farm Credit East for their work to provide assistance and investment to our farmers. I will keep working to deliver for our upstate farms.”

Tom Cosgrove, Farm Credit East Executive Vice President for Public Affairs, commented, “Farm Credit East appreciates Congressman Delgado’s support for dairy farmers and agriculture across the Hudson Valley. We commend his leadership on issues like ag labor, his support for dairy and nutrition programs as well as conservation programs, and his focus on ensuring farmers, including those getting started in agriculture, have access to credit.”

Author: Harlem Valley News