Agriculture
Agriculture is the backbone of the North Country and our farmers create jobs all across the district. Our district is home to a variety of agricultural commodities including significant dairy, apple, and maple operations. According to the last census of agriculture, New York’s 35,000 farmers bring in over $5 billion in sales.
New York’s producers face many challenges from over burdensome regulations, unfair trade practices from foreign countries, and declining prices for goods. Congresswoman Stefanik is committed to providing regulatory and tax relief to make it easier for farmers to operate in New York.
The North Country also depends on access to a reliable workforce. For those unable to find local workers it is essential that our agricultural visa programs work as they were intended, Congresswoman Stefanik is a leading voice for modernizing our agricultural visa programs including the failing H-2A program.
Now more than ever, it is critical to have a North Country voice. Congresswoman Stefanik will stand with our farmers to ensure access to critical research and support programs as well as fighting for increased market access in Canada, Mexico, Japan, and emerging markets.
As a member of the Dairy, Organic, and Small Brewer’s Caucuses Congresswoman Stefanik is committed to innovative solutions that support the North Country’s diverse agricultural background.
For more information concerning work and views related to Agriculture, please contact our office.
Legislation Introduced by Congresswoman Stefanik:
H.R. 281 – Family Farm Relief Act of 2017
H.R. 4291 - Precision Farming Act
Legislation Cosponsored by Congresswoman Stefanik:
H.R.1411 - To amend the Small Business Act to allow certain ranchers and farmers categorized as partnerships to use an alternative calculation for a maximum loan amount under the paycheck protection program
H.R.1035 - To amend the Small Business Act to include certain beverage manufacturing entities for paycheck protection program second draw loans
H.R.818 - GIVE MILK Act
H.R. 5038 - Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019
H.R. 7393 - Growing Climate Solutions Act
H.R. 4820 - Seeding Rural Resilience Act
H.R. 4482 - Protecting America's Food and Agriculture Act
Caucus Memberships
Dairy Farmer Caucus
Horse Caucus
Organic Caucus
Small Brewers Caucus
Working Forest Caucus
Resources for New Farmers in Our District:
United States Department of Agriculture
More on Agriculture
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik met virtually with members of the New York Farm Bureau to discuss their federal legislative priorities and reaffirm her commitment to supporting North Country agriculture.
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requesting that families, farmers, and producers in New York’s 21st Congressional District are included in the fifth round of food purchases through the Farmers to Families Food Box Program.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik today voted in favor of the FY21 Omnibus Appropriations package that passed the House and the Senate.
Washington, D.C. – Today, United States Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer announced that the United States will be taking the first steps to address measures adopted by the Canadian government that are contrary to provisions outlined in the United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA), and that are harmful to U.S. dairy farmers.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is a cosponsor of the bipartisan Agricultural Fair Rescue Act, legislation that would provide $500 million in grants to agricultural fairs. This funding would be directed to state departments of agriculture to be disbursed to local, county, and state fairs who are facing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This legislation is supported by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, among other groups.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer urging them to take swift action to ensure that both Canada and Mexico abide by the spirit and letter of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) as it relates to their obligations to dairy.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is a cosponsor of a House amendment to the FY21 Agriculture Appropriations bill that would improve report language on dairy standards of identity. Congresswoman Stefanik is a cosponsor of the Dairy PRIDE Act, legislation that urges the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enforce standards of identity for dairy products. This amendment is pushing FDA for stronger protections and enforcement of proper dairy labeling.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is an original cosponsor of the American Farms, Food Banks, and Families Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA). This legislation creates a specific USDA position to empower farmers and ranchers to more easily donate food to enhance food security and the strength of the food supply chain. This new “Agriculture Supply Chain Administrator” is charged with developing efficiencies and addressing the key challenges within the domestic agriculture food supply chain.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has announced that following her advocacy, USDA published new rules for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) yesterday that now make apple and select specialty crop producers eligible for the funding beginning July 13th. In June, Congresswoman Stefanik led a letter along with Congressman Anthony Brindisi (NY-22) and Congressman Dan Newhouse (WA-04), requesting that apple producers be deemed eligible for CFAP funding.