Reed To Form Agriculture Task Force; Promises To Be Sure Voice Of Rural America Is Heard In Washington

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tom Reed today announced that he is forming an agriculture task force to help him identify and understand the national issues facing Western New York farmers. “The many types of agriculture in Western New York form the backbone of our towns,” Reed said. “Local farms and produce, whether dairy, fruit or vegetables drive the economic engine of our rural areas. I have spent my lifetime in Western New York, but I want to hear from those who are farming every day.

They know best how national issues are impacting our local farms.”
Reed pointed to issues such as environmental conservation, potential climate control legislation, H-2A visa availability for seasonal agriculture workers, energy policy and estate tax reforms as just a few of the areas in which Washington influences local agriculture.

“While I am opposed to illegal immigration and blanket amnesty, we have to ensure that our local farms are able to hire an adequate, legal work force,” Reed said in illustrating one way how national issues impact local farms.

“Nearly 98% of all farms are still family farms,” Reed noted. “Protecting our local agriculture is about much more than ensuring a safe food supply. It’s about protecting an upstate way of life for future generations – and we need to be sure that burdensome estate taxes don’t make that impossible.”

The agriculture task force will include large and small farmers from across the 29th District. As with his Jobs Task Force, the agriculture team will determine very specific actions that can be taken in Washington to protect the interests of upstate New York farms. Anyone wishing to be involved with the task force can contact Reed at info@TomReedforCongress.com.

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