New York Farm Bureau Fights for Strong Farm Bill

The Farm Bill, a crucial piece of legislation impacting farmers nationwide, is up for renewal this fall. The New York Farm Bureau, a leading agricultural advocacy group in the state, is actively advocating for the inclusion of its members' needs in the final bill.

The major components of the Farm Bill include funding for risk management and crop insurance programs, ensuring support for farmers during crop failures or national disasters. The bill also allocates resources to cost-sharing programs that promote conservation practices on farms. Additionally, it funds vital research projects aimed at helping farms adapt to weather and pest challenges.

New York Farm Bureau's priorities for the Farm Bill renewal involve increasing baseline program spending, recognizing the connection between farming and food by keeping farm and nutrition title programs together, and supporting risk management and crop insurance programs like the Dairy Margin Coverage program. The organization seeks to expand the Dairy Margin Coverage program to benefit more farms and supports Dairy Revenue Protection as another risk management option.

Addressing the dairy sector, the Farm Bureau advocates for greater transparency in the federal milk pricing system and supports reintroducing whole milk in schools. The organization also seeks to bolster support for specialty crop programs, which encompass diverse commodities like fruits, vegetables, and forestry in New York.

Conservation programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, play a critical role in the Farm Bill, promoting environmental benefits and water quality improvement. The New York Farm Bureau urges lawmakers to maintain funding for these programs.

The organization emphasizes the significance of investing in research and development to improve farm practices and address climate change challenges. Recognizing research as a vital tool for agricultural advancement, the Farm Bureau urges continued support and funding.

The Farm Bill represents an essential investment in the nation's food system, food security, and national security. New York Farm Bureau urges citizens to contact their congressional representatives and senators to advocate for a strong and timely Farm Bill to support the state's agriculture sector.