FMS-18-2014 mccmc (NYFB)OwensFMS-18-2014 mccmc (NYFB)HannaPictured from left are John Hardy, Jefferson County Farm Bureau; Congressman Bill Owens and Scott Zehr, Lewis County Farm Bureau.

Pictured from left are NYFB Area Field Advisor John Wagner, NYFB District 6 Director Ben Simons, Congressman Richard Hanna and Broome County Farm Bureau Member Bill Olin.

(Oct. 2014) A group of New York Farm Bureau members recently travelled to Washington D.C. to voice agricultural concerns to New York’s Congressional delegation, officials with the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Representatives from county Farm Bureaus set out for D.C. with an agenda that ranged from expanding agricultural exporting opportunities to providing clarity to provisions within the Affordable Care Act.

The growth of U.S. agricultural exports, which have exceeded $140 billion in 2013, contributes greatly to the economic well-being of farmers. The dairy industry alone increased its exports by 22% since 2012. Exporting opportunities remain important to farmers and they were able to convey their support for County of Origin Labeling and Trade Promotion Authority legislation and spoke at length with Department of Commerce staff on the impact of opening up foreign trade opportunities on rural communities in New York.

Another issue that Farm Bureau advocates would like to see resolved before the end of the year is extending, or at best making permanent certain tax provisions important to farm operations. Discrepancies remain between legislation passed in the House and Senate and Farm Bureau members were able to convey the difficulty that farmers will face if the differences are not reconciled quickly.

New Yorker farmers are also seeking clarity and relief to requirements for seasonal employers working to comply with the Affordable Care Act. The calculations for determining if an employer is mandated to provide their full-time employees with qualified health care coverage and the definitions of a full-time employee is complex and confusing. Unclear compliance information has also unnecessarily put small seasonal employers at risk for potential tax liabilities.

Farm Bureau staff and members from Broome, Lewis, Jefferson, Oneida, and Madison counties spoke on behalf of thousands of member families advocating for action before the end of the year on issues that will increase opportunity and provide protections for those who make farming their livelihood in New York.

By martha

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