Brindisi hosts Dairy Margin Coverage workshop, tours Tractor Supply Company and visits veterans equine therapy services
Rep. Anthony Brindisi (NY-22) said he takes the title of ‘representative’ seriously.
“That means being open and accessible and meeting with people in every community to make sure their voices are heard,” he said. “I visited with farmers, veterans, families and community leaders across Herkimer County to hear directly about issues important to them. I got a lot of good ideas from the folks on the ground, and I look forward to taking them back to Congress.”
Brindisi organized a workshop with Farm Service Agency officials to help local dairy farmers navigate the new Dairy Margin Coverage program offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The DMC program, authorized as part of the 2018 Farm Bill, offers protection to dairy producers when the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed cost falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer. The DMC enrollment period runs from June 17 to Sept. 20. The program provides coverage retroactive to Jan. 1, 2019.
To better assist producers in making coverage choices, the U.S. Department of Agriculture created a DMC decision tool that can help estimate premiums and payments. Producers can select a coverage level ranging from $4 to $9.50 per hundredweight.
Brindisi and FSA officials answered questions and connected farmers with resources to ensure dairy farmers have the certainty they need. Anyone who needs help navigating the program may contact Brindisi’s office at 315.732.0713.
Brindisi also observed the equine therapy program at Spirit Dogs Farm in Frankfort. Brindisi spoke with providers and Veterans about equine therapy and its usefulness for treating post-traumatic stress disorder. Brindisi toured the farm and met with local veterans. Brindisi, a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, is a champion of mental health care for veterans and service-members. His Support for Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act passed the House of Representatives, and Brindisi successfully included an amendment to the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act requiring every deployed service-member to undergo an in-person mental health assessment every six months.
Finally, Brindisi visited the Tractor Supply Company Distribution Center in Frankfort. While in the Assembly, Brindisi secured $125,000 in infrastructure funding that helped make the distribution center a reality. Brindisi toured the 925,000-square-feet facility and spoke with employees about workforce development and recent growth at the company. Tractor Supply Company employs approximately 300 people in Herkimer County.