SC New York News

U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) has detailed the priorities for Upstate New York included in the 2024 Farm Bill, which aims to provide relief for farmers and working families. In an op-ed published in The Daily Star, Molinaro emphasized his commitment to addressing the needs of his constituents.

"When I ran for Congress, I promised to fight for the families and farmers who call Upstate New York home," Molinaro wrote. Over the past year and a half, he has held 11 town hall meetings, three Farm Bill listening sessions, and met with hundreds of residents to understand their struggles and aspirations.

Molinaro highlighted that the 2024 Farm Bill is a culmination of these efforts. "This bill is not just a legislative package; it’s a lifeline for our community that delivers real relief to those who need it most and includes 10 bipartisan measures that I wrote to solve problems Upstate New Yorkers brought to me."

The bill strengthens nutrition assistance programs, including an expansion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). "Growing up on food stamps, I understand firsthand the importance of robust nutrition assistance programs," Molinaro stated. The bill ensures SNAP benefits keep pace with inflation and extends benefits to working individuals with disabilities aged 17 to 21.

Additionally, the Farm Bill allocates more funding to food banks and includes legislation championed by Molinaro to ensure seniors in rural areas and individuals facing mobility challenges have access to home delivery services from food banks.

For farmers, the bill addresses specific challenges through various measures. It strengthens the Dairy Margin Coverage safety net program, increases support for farm families with disabilities, and provides more aid to organic farmers and those producing specialty crops like apples, Christmas trees, and grapes.

Molinaro also pushed for bills that make efficient pump & irrigation systems more accessible to farmers, authorize low-interest loans for businesses investing in food supply chain operations, and help rural communities access federal funding for infrastructure that prevents costly flooding.

"I asked to serve on the House Agriculture Committee because I knew the critical role the Farm Bill plays in shaping agricultural and food policy," Molinaro explained. He described his vote for the bill as a commitment to supporting hardworking families and farmers in Upstate New York.

"My vote for this bill was a vote for the hardworking families and farmers of Upstate New York," he concluded. "I am committed to continuing to listen, learn, and advocate for policies that support our community’s well-being and prosperity."