Calling the viability of family farms “critical to the Upstate economy,” Congressman Tom Reed has introduced the Family Farm Relief Act in the House of Representatives. He introduced the bill in a bipartisan manner with Rep. Chris Gibson (R-NY20) and Rep. Bill Owens (D-NY23) as original co-sponsors. “Agriculture is the number one industry in New York,” Reed observed. “Our towns rely on farmers not just for food, but the economic activity generated by the farms. Our purpose with the Family Farm ... Read more

Congressman Tom Reed met this morning with his Agriculture Advisory Council in Bath. The 39 members of the council represented all eight counties of the 29th Congressional district and a wide variety of agricultural expertise. The members, almost all of whom are active farmers, were selected based upon their experience, expertise, unique skills and outstanding contributions to the Upstate New York agriculture community. “Our farms form the backbone of the upstate economy,” Reed observed. “Over t... Read more

Congressman Tom Reed today joined three House colleagues in calling for Governor Andrew Cuomo to name a representative from the New York Farm Bureau to his Hydraulic Fracturing Advisory Panel. Reps. Chris Gibson, Richard Hanna and Bill Owens teamed with Reed to send a letter to Gov. Cuomo recommending that the agriculture community be represented on the panel given the significant impact that natural gas exploration will have on family farms The members jointly wrote that it is important that a ... Read more

Congressman Tom Reed’s amendment to the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill to transfer funding to Forest Health Management passed the House of Representatives this afternoon by a bipartisan vote of 237-189. The amendment transfers $8 million from the Departmental Offices of the Office of the Secretary of Interior to Forest Health Management. Funds from Forest Health Management are used by the U.S. Forest Service to control and prevent the spread of invasive species. “This amendment is ... Read more

Congressman Tom Reed (NY-29) and Congressman Chris Gibson (NY-20) led the New York Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to the U.S. Labor Department asking them to expedite the H2A visa application process for New York farm workers. Over the past several years, delays have plagued the H2A system, resulting in labor shortages, costly delays, and uncertainty for New York farmers. In particular, this year, an ongoing dispute between the New York State Department of Labor and the U.S. Depart... Read more