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Farmers in the Hudson Valley are raising alarms over policies from the Trump Administration, which they say threaten their livelihoods. At a forum held at Crist Brothers Orchards in Walden, Congressman Pat Ryan and local agricultural stakeholders discussed the impact of these policies on the community.
According to Congressman Ryan, cuts to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding, research programs, and food assistance are putting immense pressure on small, independent farms. The "One Big Beautiful Bill" Act has introduced new Medicaid work requirements, which could lead to many farmers losing their coverage. Additionally, tariffs are increasing costs for farmers, impacting their ability to purchase equipment and export goods.
Jeff Crist of Crist Brothers Orchards emphasized the importance of agricultural research, which has been instrumental in the success of his family farm. He noted that cuts to USDA research programs threaten the ability of farms to remain competitive and adapt to challenges like plant diseases and pests. Crist explained that tariffs could cost his farm an extra $60,000 this year, a burden shared by many in the industry.
Despite some restoration of funding, Congressman Ryan and others argue that more needs to be done to support local agriculture. Ryan is advocating for the full restoration of food bank funding and additional support for farmers affected by tariffs. He emphasized that the ability to supply food and conduct research should not be a partisan issue.