Delgado-Backed Farm Bill Priorities Included in Committee-Passed Appropriations Bill

Press Release

This week, the Appropriations Committee passed its Fiscal Year 2020 Agriculture-Rural Development-FDA bill with funding for farming development programs advocated for by Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19).

"I continue to hear from farmers back at home about the need for investments in training and outreach programs to assist in this down farm economy," said Delgado. "I am pleased that this year I could help strengthen legislation for our small farmers through support for training opportunities for beginning farmers in rural areas, as well as a bipartisan program that addresses the significant mental strain placed on farmers during this down farm economy. This legislation will also include funding for programs to address title and landownership disputes. I'm proud these priorities share support on both sides of the aisle and I look forward to voting for this legislation when it comes to the House Floor."

Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network:

Rep. Antonio Delgado, along with Reps. Tom Emmer (MN-06), Dave Loebsack (IA-02), and Roger Marshall (KS-01), were able to secure $10 million in funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network which funds stress assistance to farmers, ranchers, farmworkers, and other agriculture-related professions. Financial risk, volatile markets, unpredictable weather, and heavy workloads can place a significant strain on farmers', ranchers', and farmworkers' mental and emotional well-being. A recent study from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that farmers have a much higher rate of suicide than the general population, which is exacerbated by the fact that there is a shortage of mental healthcare professionals in rural areas.

Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach (FOTO) program:

Rep. Antonio Delgado, along with Reps. Ben Ray Luján (NM-03), Terri Sewell (AL-07), successfully secured $10 million in additional funding for the Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach (FOTO) program, which was newly created in the 2018 Farm Bill. The new FOTO program combines the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Program and Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers. This funding will meet the increased needs for the effective combination of training and education models to support beginning, veteran and socially disadvantaged farmers.

Intermediary Relending Program:

Reps. Delgado, Luján and Sewell successfully advocated for the inclusion of $18.89 million for an intermediary relending pilot program run through the USDA Farm Service Agency that helps to resolve ownership and succession on farmland. Heirs' property issues cloud title to agricultural lands and prevent participation in critical USDA farm, disaster and conservation programs. This funding will help farm families obtain clear title to their farmland by allowing USDA loans to be used to purchase the interests of non-farming heirs.

Farm Ownership Data Collection:

Reps. Delgado, Luján and Sewell were also able to secure the inclusion of $1 million for a new a new data initiative on Land Access and Farmland Ownership. This study will ensure that both policymakers and the public have access to important trend data on farmland ownership, tenure, generational transitions, and barriers to entry for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. This data will inform policy decisions dealing with heirs property issues and absentee land ownership in farming communities.

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