by Doug La Rocque
On Friday, March 25, Congressman Antonio Delgado stopped by the New Lebanon Farmers Market for a first hand look at what he labeled as a great example of how “local and family farms are being empowered to drive the country’s economy.” He made note of a large piece of farm oriented legislation he is attempting to move through Congress, but lamented some of the legislation currently coming out of Washington is making it more difficult for small local farms to survive. He claims his fellow lawmakers must realize the economy of scale, noting “people love to buy local.” He feels Congress must understand the need to feed the community as well as the agricultural bottom line.
Local Impact
Representative Delgado received many questions during his visit from the approximately 30 people in attendance. One came from Stephentown’s Alison Basdekis, who pointed out one example of how the current economic woes are impacting her small farm. The Columbia County cold storage facility she has used for years recently shut its doors because of the pandemic, leaving her with fewer and more expensive options. Mr. Delgado replied the lack of agricultural infrastructure is a concern he hopes to address in the aforementioned farming bill. As to how that farm bill will finally look and when it might come to a vote, he is uncertain, telling The Eastwick Press there is still a lot of work to do.
The Congressman is also pushing for schools to be able to buy more from local farms, saying he is a sponsor of a bill that would offer higher federal reimbursement to schools for such local farm purchases.
The Market Is Growing
The indoor Farmers Market is located at 528 U.S. Route 20 in a rehabilitated building offering a variety of farm goods. It also operates an outdoor market on Sundays in the fairer weather and currently has about 20 local farm providers.
