Gottheimer meets with Sussex County farmers to discuss rising costs, Farm Bill priorities

AUGUSTA, N.J. (Sussex County) — U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) recently hosted an agriculture roundtable with farmers from across New Jersey’s Fifth Congressional District to discuss rising operating costs, challenges facing family farms and priorities for federal agricultural legislation.

The discussion focused on increasing diesel, fertilizer and equipment costs, low dairy prices, declining numbers of farms, fewer cooperative plants and meat processing facilities, and reduced access to milk haulers.

Gottheimer also outlined his priorities for the final Farm Bill, including support for specialty crops, dairy farmers and agritourism, while seeking input from farmers on what they need from federal lawmakers.

“It’s because of all of you, and the more than 1,000 farms in New Jersey’s Fifth District, that families across our state and nation have fresh, high-quality, nutritious meals on the table,” Gottheimer said. “You do your part, every single day, rain or shine. The question for Washington is whether they’re doing everything they can for you. And right now, the clearest test of that is the Farm Bill.”

According to Gottheimer’s office, farmers are facing increasing financial pressure as higher fuel, supply and transportation costs cut into already narrow profit margins.

The challenges have been compounded by a hard freeze in April that struck while crops were budding and blooming, damaging peaches, cherries, apples, strawberries, blueberries and other crops. The freeze caused an estimated $300 million in agricultural losses, according to Gottheimer’s office.

At the roundtable, Gottheimer announced the Farmer Recovery Opportunity and Support for Temperatures (FROST) Relief Act, proposed federal legislation aimed at helping growers recover from the freeze.

The legislation would establish a block grant program to provide assistance to farmers in 13 states affected by the freeze, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia.

Under the proposal, federal funding would be distributed to affected states to help farmers recover their losses while reducing administrative delays.

Gottheimer is also supporting the TEMP Act, which would direct the federal crop insurance program to develop affordable, temperature-based coverage for specialty crop growers affected by freezing temperatures and other cold-weather events.

According to his office, existing crop insurance programs do not adequately address the risks faced by many specialty crop growers, leaving farmers vulnerable to significant financial losses following severe weather.

The roundtable also addressed uncertainty surrounding the Farm Bill, which was last enacted in 2018 and has been extended multiple times. Gottheimer said the delays have made it more difficult for farmers to plan planting seasons, purchase equipment and make hiring decisions.

Among his priorities is expanding eligibility for federal rural development programs.

In April, Gottheimer offered an amendment to increase the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s population threshold for rural eligibility from 20,000 to 50,000, potentially allowing more North Jersey communities to qualify for broadband and infrastructure assistance.

Although the amendment was not included in the House version of the Farm Bill, Gottheimer said he would continue pushing for its inclusion in the final legislation.

He has also proposed ending the hiring freeze at the USDA’s Farm Service Agency to help speed up the processing of agricultural loans and assistance programs, particularly for new and beginning farmers.

Another priority involves restoring federal funding for local food purchasing programs.

According to Gottheimer’s office, the administration eliminated more than $1 billion in funding for the Local Food for Schools and Local Food Purchase Assistance programs.

The cuts resulted in the loss of $26 million in commitments for New Jersey that would have supported 46 farms and food producers, including 11 in the Fifth District.

Gottheimer has called for restoring the funding and offered a Farm Bill amendment addressing the reductions.

He also raised concerns about proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, in the House legislation.

According to his office, the provisions would require New Jersey to cover 5% of SNAP benefits and increase the state’s share of administrative expenses, potentially adding $200 million annually in costs.

Gottheimer also warned that changes to SNAP eligibility could affect children’s access to free school meals.

He has introduced the Feed Our Kids Act, which would provide free school meals to all students and encourage schools to purchase nutritious food from local producers when possible.

Additional agricultural priorities include increasing funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, combating invasive species such as the spotted lanternfly, expanding meat and poultry processing capacity and improving access to affordable broadband in rural communities.

Gottheimer also highlighted his support for dairy farmers, including his backing of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which was signed into law in January. He serves as a member of the congressional Dairy Caucus.

Ahead of National 4-H Week, observed annually during the first full week of October, Gottheimer reaffirmed his support for 4-H and the USDA’s Positive Youth Development programs, which provide educational and leadership opportunities for young people interested in agriculture.

Gottheimer said he is also pursuing measures to reduce energy costs through an All-of-the-Above Energy Plan aimed at increasing domestic energy production and lowering diesel and fertilizer expenses.

His office also pointed to his support for legislation targeting alleged price collusion among meat and poultry companies.

The roundtable was part of Gottheimer’s efforts to gather feedback from North Jersey farmers as Congress considers agricultural policies affecting family farms, food production and rural communities.