Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Plattsburgh) announced that the Assembly budget proposal includes significant funding for agricultural programs that support farming communities and increase food security for all New Yorkers.

“As we continue fighting and recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, we must work to protect and invest in our communities,” said Jones. “The pandemic has put a tremendous strain on our food and agriculture systems, leaving our farms without revenue and families without food. As a former dairy farmer myself, I know firsthand the hard work and dedication that goes into the agricultural industry, and I’m committed to helping our farming communities navigate these challenging times and receive the critical aid they need.”

The Assembly budget proposal provides $50 million for the Nourish NY program, which helps families who are food insecure gain access to nutritious food from New York farms. Jones noted that this program has been tremendously successful and that he will continue to fight to make this program permanent.The proposal also provides $35.41 million for agricultural aid to localities, an increase of $8 million over the executive proposal, including funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program. Furthermore, farms are eligible for grants through the $1 billion Small Business Reopening and Relief Grant Program. This funding would give critical aid to businesses and families and help the state and the North Country recover from the damage done by the pandemic, noted Jones.