Challenges Faced by Family Farms Topic of Hochul Roundtable

Press Release

This morning, Representative Kathy Hochul (NY-26) held a roundtable conversation with over 30 members of the local agriculture community including local farmers, producers, and elected officials to discuss agriculture issues affecting New York's 26th District such as energy costs, child labor, water runoff, and food security.

"With over 3,000 locally owned farms in New York's 26th District, the agriculture industry is one of my highest priorities," said Hochul. "We must ensure that farmers in Western New York have access to skilled labor and are not choked by burdensome regulations. That is why I hold forums like this with our family farmers - to listen to their concerns and discuss how I can help their businesses run more efficiently."

"The Erie County farming community appreciates Congresswoman Hochul's interest in agriculture. Throughout rural New York, farms are becoming an endangered species. Pressed by technology and global competition, many farmers have chosen to quit. New York State lost nearly 200,000 farms in the 20th century. Farms are more than mere statistics however; farms are the keepers of our rural heritage and the custodians of our open space. Congresswomen Hochul has proven that she wholeheartedly supports this concept and will continue to work with us to make sure that there is food on the table," said Hans Mobius, owner of Maple Row Farm.

Recently, Rep. Hochul introduced bipartisan legislation that allows dairy farmers to apply for temporary guest worker visas to fill the industry labor gap. Due in part to Rep. Hochul's determination and work with the U.S. Department of Labor, farmers will soon have the ability to apply for temporary guest worker visas online.

Rep. Hochul is a member of the House Dairy Caucus and House Specialty Crop Caucus. This is the fourth Agriculture Roundtable hosted by Hochul.

Source