Delgado Holds Second Meeting of 19th Congressional District Agriculture Advisory Committee

Press Release

Today, Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) held the second meeting of his 19th Congressional District Agriculture Advisory Committee. The committee is made up of a diverse group of family farmers, agriculture professors and experts, representatives of local agriculture nonprofits, sustainable farming advocates, and representatives from county Farm Bureaus. The committee includes members from all 11 counties that make up the 19th Congressional District.

"Too often, the priorities of small- and mid-sized farms are ignored in Washington, and I'm proud to be a voice in Congress for our farmers here at home. I have made it a top priority to get out and visit farms across the district to learn more and understand the challenges they face" Delgado said at the meeting. "It is clear to me we need to do a better job of investing in infrastructure and technology in order to empower family farms that are faced with market consolidation and a difficult farm economy."

The first meeting of the committee focused on localized infrastructure and what can be done to better tap into unmet demand. Today's meeting focused on expanding sustainable farming practices, and addressing tariffs and market volatility.

"In April, I introduced the bipartisan Family Farmer Relief Act, legislation endorsed by the American Farm Bureau Federation and National Farmers Union, to allow more family farmers who have fallen on hard times to access Chapter 12 bankruptcy relief. I am also committed to making sure that the Farm Bill is implemented in a fashion that empowers our small family farms and truly benefits them." Delgado said.

One of the key topics of the meeting was addressing the environmental and economic sustainability of small farms. The Advisory Committee discussed how combating climate change and engaging in sustainable farming practices can create economic opportunity for small farmers.

This Spring, Rep. Delgado introduced the Family Farmer Relief Act which would extend Chapter 12 repayment and restructuring flexibility to help more family farms through this difficult farm economy and co-sponsored the bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2019, which allows schools that participate in the School Lunch Program to buy flavored and unflavored whole milk for students. As a member of the Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Small Business Committees, Delgado has prioritized bringing the voices of small farmers to Washington. The 19th Congressional District is the eighth most rural district in the country and the third most rural district represented by a Democrat. There are over 5,000 farms and over 8,000 farm operations in the district. Throughout Delgado's first five months in office, he has toured farms and sat down with local farmers to hear about localized infrastructure, technology needs, and sustainable farming practices.

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