Calverton – Hosted by the Long Island Farm Bureau (LIFB), Congressman Tim Bishop held an informal breakfast face-to-face with East End farmers to answer their questions and address their concerns regarding upcoming labor and health care legislation, among other issues.

The event took place at LIFB Headquarters on Edwards Avenue in Calverton and was attended by almost two dozen members of the East End's farming community and LIFB partner organizations like the Peconic Land Trust. Familiar family farmers and vintners like John Halsey, Ken and Phil Schmitt, Lyle Wells and Pindar Damianos sat at the long conference table listening to the four term congressman who has represented the 1st Congressional District since 2002.

Opening with remarks that Bishop must have anticipated, he explained some of the details of the House of Representatives proposed health insurance legislation and about both the stimulus bill and banking bailout legislation, of the latter saying, "Nothing made me more angry than voting for the bailout bill, but it had to be done."

Referencing the health insurance legislation Bishop noted, "I think there are some real advantages in the reform bill because most farmers buy their policies in the open market and this will allow farmers and their employees to enter insurance exchanges where they will have the competitive advantages that are available to the larger corporations." Bishop went on to explain that there were no longer mandates in the bill for employers who have 50 or less employees on the payroll, which should include most of the family farmers that were in attendance.

Family farmer Ken Schmitt posing a question during the breakfast meeting that was attended by almost two dozen members of the East End's agricultural community.

Regarding job growth Bishop explained that, "We are trying to provide incentives for small businesses to hire. For example a bill was just passed that the President will sign this week that will provide employers with a 6.2 percent Social Security FICA match for the money they add to their payroll over the next 12 months and it will also provide a $1,000 tax credit for each worker they add to the payroll over the next 12 months. It is an effort to incentivize employers to start hiring again." Bishop also went on to explain increased funding for smaller community banks to lend to small businesses along with empowering the Small Business Administration with the ability to lend directly through its agency.

During the almost 90 minute Q&A other issues like social security, the estate tax, the deficit, student loan funding, farm subsidies and protection of the independent farmer were among the numerous subjects covered. Bishop addressed each issue and explained his position and the efforts of the federal government to address the concerns expressed by his farm industry constituents.

LIFB Executive Director Joe Gergela relayed his pleasure with the morning's event, by stating "I am very pleased, as I think over the years as Tim has become more comfortable [in Congress] I think he is doing an outstanding job for his district. We are very proud of the relationship we have with him. He is open-minded, he listens to his constituents and overall he has done a terrific job within the congress for his district. We are very proud of the relation we enjoy with him and with all our partners, the Peconic Land Trust, Cornell [Extension], Farm Credit, the Wine Council, we all work together regarding agriculture and we have a great relationship with the Congressman."

In the tight knit community of East End family farming the issues discussed at the morning meeting with Congressman Bishop impact the livelihood and very existence of one of the state's most important and oldest agricultural counties. A fact not lost on the farmers or the congressman that represents them.

For more information on the Long Island Farm Bureau go to www.lifb.com.