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 as Congress debates a new Farm Bill. 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, 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. 344 – Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act
Legislation Cosponsored by Congresswoman Stefanik:
H.R. 747 – Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act of 2017
H.R. 778 – Dairy Pride Act
H.R. 848 – Farm Regulatory Certainty Act
H.R. 1626 – Student Agriculture Protection Act of 2017
H.R. 2853 – Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Act of 2017
Caucus Memberships
Dairy Farmer Caucus
Horse Caucus
Organic Caucus
Small Brewers Caucus
Working Forest Caucus
Resources for New Farmers in Our District:
More on Agriculture
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has signed on as an original cosponsor of the bipartisan Seeding Rural Resilience Act. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Anthony Brindisi (NY-22), directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to raise awareness and carry out a public service campaign to address mental health issues surrounding farmers.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has signed on as an original cosponsor of the bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced yesterday. The bill is being led by Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-4) and Zoe Lofgren (CA-19) and includes solutions to address the labor crisis facing American agriculture. The bill provides a pathway to legal status for undocumented farmworkers who have been working in agriculture for at least two years and plan to continue in their jobs.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has announced two United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants and loans that will support improvements for the Champlain Fire District and the City of Ogdensburg. $3,865,800 has been awarded to the Champlain fire station in Clinton County, for the purposes of additions and alterations, including a variety of upgrades and repairs and a total of 6,839 feet of new space.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has signed onto a bipartisan letter regarding NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio’s proposed banning of flavored milk in New York City schools. The letter, signed by several other members of New York’s congressional delegation, opposes the proposal and outlines the need to support New York’s dairy industry, the largest agricultural sector in the state, while ensuring that New York City children have access to an abundant and nutritious food supply.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has announced a $38,000 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant for technical assistance, in the form of leadership and supervisory training, to local small business owners across multiple counties by the North Country Chamber of Commerce in Plattsburgh, NY. This funding will support training for businesses in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and St.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has cosponsored the Dairy Pride Act, which was reintroduced today. This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit the sale of any food that uses the market name of a dairy product but does not come from an animal, and does not contain milk as a primary ingredient.