06-03-2025
Riley announces bipartisan agriculture bills
Congressman Josh Riley, D, NY-19, on Thursday announced two new bipartisan initiatives that he will lead in upcoming negotiations on the Farm Bill.
According to a news release from his office, Riley's proposals "will direct funding to the rural communities that need it most and ensure the next generation of producers has the support they need to continue Upstate New York's proud agricultural legacy."
'For too long, family farms in small towns all across Upstate New York have been sold out to special interests who spend millions lobbying on behalf of the Big Ag monopolies,' Riley said. 'I'm fighting to change that by supporting the next generation of Upstate farmers with the tools they need to grow our food and strengthen our economy.'
The Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act reauthorizes and expands funding for rural cooperative development grants, "which are a lifeline for many rural small businesses, farmers, and cooperatives," the release stated. The bill provides local producers in economically distressed communities with technical assistance, training, and capital access. Riley is introducing the bill alongside California Republican David Valadao.
Riley's second bill, The Future FARMERS Act, reauthorizes more than $40 million in grants and fellowships for food and agricultural sciences education "to support the next generation of Upstate New York's agricultural leaders," the release stated. Riley is introducing the bill with Iowa Republican Randy Feenstra.
As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, Riley "is working to protect family farms and ensure local Upstate farmers get their fair share," the release stated. "In just his first two months in office, he has already championed bipartisan efforts to lower costs, strengthen dairy farm resilience, stop price gouging, boost family farms, and stop the spread of avian flu."
Riley also recently launched the Upstate Agriculture Advisory Board to provide recommendations and input for his work on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee.
