Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) has introduced a comprehensive legislative package aimed at strengthening New York’s agriculture industry and supporting rural communities in the 119th Congress. The seven bipartisan bills focus on enhancing economic opportunities for farmers, producers, and rural workers in Western New York and the Southern Tier.
Six of the seven measures were previously included in the House Agriculture Committee’s 2018 Farm Bill but failed to reach a full House vote. Langworthy expressed optimism about gaining bipartisan support this time. “These pieces of legislation are specifically crafted to help hardworking farmers, benefit seniors, and grow our rural communities,” he said.
Among the key proposals is the Fair Milk Pricing for Farmers Act, which seeks to improve transparency in dairy pricing by requiring mandatory reporting of processing costs. Supported by a coalition including the New York Farm Bureau and the National Milk Producers Federation, the bill has drawn endorsements from prominent lawmakers and agriculture advocates.
Another highlight is the Dairy Farm Resiliency Act, designed to update the Dairy Margin Coverage program to reflect changes in farm sizes. This aims to better protect small and medium-sized farms from financial instability caused by volatile market conditions.
Langworthy also reintroduced the MAPLE and SAP Acts, which prioritize maple syrup producers. These bills would expand market access for maple products and promote research and education in the maple industry.
Additional legislation focuses on creating economic opportunities in rural areas. The CAREERS Act addresses workforce shortages by expanding training programs, while the Rural Telehealth and Education Enhancement Act reauthorizes grants for distance learning and telemedicine in underserved communities.
The legislative package has garnered widespread praise. David Fisher, president of the New York Farm Bureau, called the measures “critical to ensuring our state’s farmers have the tools they need to succeed.”
Langworthy’s district encompasses key agricultural regions in New York, including Allegany, Steuben, and parts of Erie and Niagara Counties. He emphasized that the package reflects the needs of stakeholders and will drive economic growth while preserving the state’s agricultural heritage.
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