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Josh Riley Introduces Bill To Make Federal Government Honor Promises To Upstate Farmers

Bill Will Unfreeze USDA Funding and Pay For Already Completed Work

Today, Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) introduced the Honor Farmer Contracts Act. The bill would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to uphold its promise to America’s farmers and rural communities by unfreezing funding for previously signed agreements and contracts. 

“Our farms are already struggling to make ends meet under crippling tariff threats, a labor shortage, and an economy that props up Big Ag while small producers get screwed,” said Riley. “And now, to add insult to injury, this Administration is breaking its promises to them. Enough is enough. It’s time for the USDA to unfreeze these funds and pay what they owe our farmers.”

For the past two months, farmers, small businesses, and organizations providing critical support and service to our nation’s farm and food system have been left in limbo, waiting for the USDA to fulfill its obligations.

“The federal government must honor its commitments and immediately reinstate funding for climate-smart projects,” said 7th-generation Upstate farmer Scott Glezen of Glezen Farms in Lisle. “This support is essential for protecting clean water, preventing soil erosion, and reducing nutrient runoff. Due to this shortfall, we’ve been forced to delay critical projects and divert funds to cover already-signed contracts—all at great cost to our farm. I am grateful for Rep. Riley’s continued support.”

Across New York State, at least 150 farms and agricultural support organizations are waiting for answers on approximately $168M in funding. For Upstate New York, continued bureaucratic delays and broken contracts will drive up costs, threaten rural communities, and have catastrophic short-term and long-term effects on family farms and the local economy. 

Specifically, The Honor Farmer Contracts Act will:

  • Unfreeze funding for all USDA contracts with farmers and farm service providers 
  • Force the USDA to pay all overdue amounts immediately
  • Protect farmers from broken promises by prohibiting contract cancellations unless the farmer violates the terms
  • Keep local farm service offices open so farmers can access the resources they need.

The Honor Farmer Contracts Act is supported by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, Black Farmers United—NYS Inc., and hundreds of the leading agricultural associations across the country. 

Full text of the Honor Farmer Contracts Act can be found HERE. 

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"Farmers in New York's 19th district are already up against the wall — unpredictable weather, volatile markets, and now a war halfway around the world is spiking the cost of the fertilizer they depend on every season. That's not fair, and it's not something our farmers should have to navigate blind."

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