WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Josh Riley (D, NY-19) introduced the Honor Farmer Contracts Act. Riley says 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.”

Across New York State, at least 150 farms and agricultural support organizations are waiting for answers on approximately $168 million in funding. 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, says the release. 

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.