Rep Riley Introduces Honor Farmer Contracts Act – Would Require USDA to Uphold Unfreezing Funding For Farmers

New York State Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) has introduced the Honor Farmer Contracts Act. Riley says this bill would require the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to unfreeze federal funding for contracts that were already signed; the funding would go to helping farmers and rural communities.

“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.”

Riley says for the past two months, farmers, small businesses, and organizations that provide support services for farms and food systems have been in “limbo” waiting for the federal agency to fulfill their obligation to unfreeze the funding.

“The federal government must honor its commitments and immediately reinstate funding for climate-smart projects,” said 7th-generation Upstate farmer Scott Glezen of Glezen Farms in Lisle. “This support is essential for protecting clean water, preventing soil erosion, and reducing nutrient runoff. Due to this shortfall, we’ve been forced to delay critical projects and divert funds to cover already-signed contracts—all at great cost to our farm. I am grateful for Rep. Riley’s continued support.”

There are at least 150 farms and agricultural support organizations in New York, who are waiting for when the funding will be unfrozen; the current total of funds frozen by the USDA is nearly $168 million dollars.

The bill will specifically unfreeze funding for all USDA contracts with farmers and farm service providers, force the USDA to pay overdue amounts, prohibit contract cancellations unless the farmer violates the terms, and to keep local farm service offices open.

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, Riley says.