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Congressman Josh Riley is calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure that $16 billion in disaster relief funding reaches small family farms rather than large agricultural corporations and investment funds. Riley, who represents New York's 19th District and serves on the House Agricultural Committee, emphasized the dire situation faced by family farmers in Upstate New York.
In a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, Riley, along with Representative Kristen McDonald Rivet of Michigan, expressed concerns that big agricultural companies and investment funds are buying up farmland, pushing family farms to the brink of collapse. Riley stated, "In Upstate New York, family farmers are hanging on by a thread. They don’t need more competition from big ag corporations and investment funds, and they sure don’t need to watch emergency aid get steered to the folks who need it least."
According to Riley's office, between 2008 and 2023, farmland owned by investment funds increased by 231%, while foreign ownership of U.S. farmland rose by 67%. These trends have driven up land prices, making it difficult for new farmers to enter the industry and pushing existing ones closer to financial ruin.
Riley and McDonald Rivet argued that emergency relief should be directed to family farmers who are struggling to sustain their livelihoods. They stressed that large conglomerates, with their financial resources, should not be prioritized for assistance. Riley has introduced several bills aimed at supporting rural and agricultural communities, including measures to modernize irrigation systems and expand rural co-op grants.
As the USDA prepares to distribute the disaster relief funds, Riley's advocacy highlights the ongoing challenges faced by family farms and the need for targeted support to ensure their survival.