This weekend on In Focus, we are exploring the top issues facing New York farmers and the potential legislative solutions to support the 55,000 jobs employed in New York's agriculture industry. JoDee Kenney sat down with Congressman Marc Molinaro to discuss agriculture. His district, the newly redrawn 19th district, spans 11 counties in New York, many of which list farming as a major economic driver. After three terms as Dutchess County executive, time as mayor and a State Assemblyman, Molinaro says he is bringing his understanding of community needs to his work in Washington, D.C.

Molinaro serves on the House Agriculture Committee. He says the post is essential to ensure the voice of upstate farmers is included in federal policy discussion. Right now, Molinaro is advocating for policies ahead of the Farm Bill reauthorization. The Congressman says the bill is crucial for food security, national security, and job security. For New Yorkers, the regulations need to be geared more towards smaller farms, as opposed to those in some of the Midwest states that are significantly larger.

The Dairy Farm Resiliency Act, introduced by Molinaro, aims to use better and more accurate data when it comes to dairy regulations. It also would change the cap so that farmers could get more return on risk or higher insurance payouts. He says this is particularly important as farms feel more of the burden of inflation in their production costs. Beyond that, Molinaro believes there are more opportunities for New York's dairy farms by reducing regulation on whole milk sales to schools and improving markets with Canada.

You can watch the full interview with Congressman Marc Molinaro in the video player above or on the Spectrum News App. And be sure to tune in for a look inside the biggest issues impacting upstate New York, on In Focus with JoDee Kenney — every Sunday on Spectrum News 1.