A half-dozen local farmers and agricultural representatives have been named to Congressman Antonio Delgado’s newly-formed 19th Congressional District Agriculture Advisory Committee.
The 40 members of the group will provide input on ways that Congress can better support small farms in upstate New York.
“All over our district we’ve got small, local farms that are so vital to our way of life in upstate and to our economy,” Congressman Delgado said.
“I’m looking forward to working with the Advisory Committee to prioritize small and mid-tier family-owned farms who are too often marginalized by Congress.
“The best ideas on how we can empower farmers come not from Washington but from those who actually live and breathe these issues every day in our district. We can’t work through solutions to the challenges that family farms are facing without conversations like the ones I’ll be having with this Advisory Committee at the local level.”
The 19th Congressional District is the eighth most rural district in the country and the third most rural district represented by a Democrat. There are over 5,000 farms and over 8,000 farm operations in the district.
In his first in-district work period, Congressman Delgado toured local farms and sat down with local farmers to hear about localized infrastructure, technology needs, and sustainable farming practices.
Agriculture Advisory Committee members praised the creation of the board and discussed what they intend to work on with the Congressman.
“Agriculture is central to our history, culture and livelihoods in the Mohawk Valley,” said Jason Evans, SUNY Cobleskill professor and director of the Institute for Rural Vitality.
“There are real opportunities now for reshaping the regional agricultural economy and making it more robust for future generations of farm and food entrepreneurs. But, there are also complex challenges, and policy will undoubtedly play a role in understanding and overcoming those. I am honored to be part of Congressman Delgado’s Agriculture Advisory Committee and look forward to the important work ahead.”   
Duane Martin, a dairy farmer and president of Delaware County Farm Bureau, agreed.
“I am excited to be part of Congressman Delgado’s Agriculture Advisory team, and I am looking forward to working with him and his staff in trying to solve agriculture and dairy issues in New York 19,” he said.
“We appreciate that newly elected Congressman Delgado reached out to farmers and other agricultural stakeholders in the district to meet with him on a regular basis,” added Phoebe Schreiner, executive director of the Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship (CADE).
“Agriculture is at the center of the upstate economy. It’s important that our elected officials, regardless of party, pay close attention to realities on the ground and what’s at stake for farmers in the district. We hope that regular dialogue with the Committee will better equip him to address needs.”
Local 19th Congressional District Agriculture Advisory Board members include: Jim Barber, Barber’s Farm; David Cox, CCE of Schoharie and Otsego Counties; Jason Evans, SUNY Cobleskill; Paul Greer, Otsego County Farm Bureau; Duane Martin, Delaware County Farm; ; Phoebe Schreiner, Center for Agricultural Development & Entrepreneurship (CADE); Nan and Mark Stolzenburg, Schoharie County farmers; and John VanDerwerken, Schoharie County Farm Bureau.