RILEY VOTES YES ON FARM BILL, DELIVERING MAJOR WINS FOR UPSTATE FARMERS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES

Upstate Farms and groups praise Riley's vote to support local agriculture

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Josh Riley today Thursday in favor of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act on the House Floor, helping pass critical legislation that delivers major victories for Upstate New York's farmers, rural families, and local economies.

"Our farmers are the heart and soul of Upstate New York. They work harder than anybody on earth, and all they ask for is a fair shot. Today, we delivered," said Rep. Josh Riley. "This Farm Bill strengthens family farms, protects American farmland, lowers costs, supports dairy, invests in rural communities, and gives our farmers more certainty in uncertain times. It's not perfect, and there's more work ahead, but this is a major step forward for Upstate New York and rural America."

Representing 4,547 farms across nearly one million acres, Riley helped secure numerous provisions in the bill aimed directly at supporting family-owned farms, improving safety, protecting domestic agriculture, expanding local markets, and investing in the future of rural communities.

RILEY-SECURED WINS IN THE FARM BILL INCLUDE:

• Protecting Farmland: Strengthened oversight and transparency on foreign purchases of U.S. farmland.
• Saving Farmers' Lives: Reauthorized a USDA rebate program for tractor rollover protection systems (ROPS).
• Supporting Dairy: Expanded dairy nutrition programs, including a Riley amendment to include yogurt, and improved dairy market transparency.
• Aiding Specialty & Organic Producers: Expanded crop insurance, enhanced disaster relief, and strengthened organic integrity protections.
• Strengthening Local Food Systems: Expanded programs connecting local farmers directly to schools, food banks, and community markets.
• Investing in Rural Communities: Increased rural broadband investments, expanded support for beginning and veteran farmers, and strengthened rural health and cooperative development programs.

WHAT FARM LEADERS ARE SAYING:

Ashley Sardo (Oeser), Manager of National Affairs, New York Farm Bureau:
"Today, the House of Representatives passed a Farm Bill that will help provide stability for New York farmers. Many New York Farm Bureau priorities are included in the bill, such as improved dairy risk management tools; greater access to crop insurance for specialty crops; enhancement of disaster programs, particularly for specialty crop producers; increased support for new, young, beginning, and veteran farmers transitioning to farming; strengthened rural broadband provisions; and reauthorization of forestry programs that support wood products.

"We appreciate all those who supported this bill, particularly our New York representatives who voted yes. That includes Rep. Josh Riley (D, NY-19), who joined New York Republican Representatives Nick LaLota (R, NY-1), Nick Langworthy (R, NY-23), Mike Lawler (R, NY-17), Nicole Malliotakis (R, NY-11), Elise Stefanik (R, NY-21), and Claudia Tenney (R, NY-24) to help pass the bill. But our work is not done until the Farm Bill passes both houses. We urge the Senate to pass the Farm Bill as soon as possible."

Eric Ooms, A. Ooms & Sons Dairy:
"Josh has shown his commitment to farm families like mine by voting for the Farm Bill. In a time where it would be easy to just point out what's missing, he's clearly trying to accomplish positive things for our rural communities. While not getting everything we would want, the certainty for farms and our partners in research definitely feel this is a step in the right direction."

Todd M. Erling, Executive Director, Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corp:

"The passage of the Farm Bill is one important factor moving toward creating some stability for our farmers and regional food system partners who are under such pressure at this time, facing economic uncertainty, labor challenges, rising fuel and input costs, and potential weather-related crop losses already this season."

John Kelder, Kelder's Farm, Kerhonkson

"We greatly appreciate Congressman Riley's support on this Farm Bill. Passage of this Farm Bill is critical for farmers across New York. There are many provisions within this legislation that would bolster farms of all sizes, including greater dairy risk management tools, expanding eligibility for specialty crops as it relates to disaster programs, creating support for new, young, beginning and veteran farmers, and expanding access to crop insurance for specialty crops. Congressman Riley continues to be a champion for programs in Farm Bill that are important to farmers, such as creating a Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program for SNAP recipients and establishing the National ROPS Rebate Program within the USDA. We cannot thank Congressman Riley enough for his work on this Farm Bill. We look forward to the Senate passing this legislation."

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