Stefanik, R-Willsboro, fielded questions on various topics throughout the event, which worked as a sort of miniaturized town hall meeting. It was originally scheduled to be an hour long, but Stefanik remained long after to continue answering questions. This was the 14th “coffee” event Stefanik has hosted since she took office.

One of the most popular topics attendees brought up was the local farm industry and the challenges farmers are facing today, including low milk prices and tough labor standards.

Farmers noted that milk dumping as a result of over-production is becoming a serious issue across the state, and many farms could be put out of business in the near future if milk prices do not improve.

Stefanik said one of the best ways to deal with the problem is to ensure farmers have enough opportunities to export their products.

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik answers questions from an audience of more than 80 people at a “Coffee with your Congresswoman” event Tuesday afternoon at the Lyons Falls Library. (Photo provided — Amanda Morrison, Watertown Daily Times)

“While we may not be able to completely export our way out of this, we should be making sure that we have export opportunities for our dairy farmers,” Stefanik said. “That would help deal with the supply issue, but the pricing issue also we need to take a closer look at.”

Stefanik added that measures and programs to ensure farms can survive periods of low milk prices should be strengthened.

Farmers have also struggled with hiring employees because of the nation’s labor laws, particularly the H-2A Agricultural Visa program.

Stefanik introduced a bill earlier this year that would move the H-2A program, which allows foreign entry into the county for agricultural employment, from the U.S. Department of Labor to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Current regulations allow farms to use the program if they seek temporary or seasonal workers. With dairy farming being a year-round business, however, foreign labor on such farms is needed on a more long-term basis. Stefanik’s bill would help adjust the program to meet the needs of dairy farmers who use foreign labor to maintain operations year-round.

A few attendees also expressed concerns over Environmental Protection Agency funding cuts, such as President Donald Trump’s proposed elimination of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The program provides $300 million for programs that protect the Great Lakes from pollutants and invasive species.

Stefanik, who co-signed a bipartisan letter calling on Trump to restore the funding, said Congress ultimately controls what is in the final budget, and she will advocate for GLRI funding and to restore other EPA cuts proposed by the president.

Stefanik also answered questions on the growing threat of cyber-warfare, noting that she and her colleagues on the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities are working to ensure the nation is properly protected against such threats coming out of Russia, North Korea and Iran.

Earlier on Tuesday, Stefanik participated in a roundtable discussion at Cornell Cooperative Extension to talk about farm issues in Lewis County. And on Monday, Stefanik took part in a college affordability roundtable discussion at Jefferson Community College, where she talked about her push to expand the federal Pell Grant program so more students can take college courses in winter and summer semesters.

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(Editor’s note: Four daily newspapers in the North Country — the Enterprise, Post-Star of Glens Falls, Watertown Daily Times and Press-Republican of Plattsburgh — are sharing content to better cover New York’s 21st Congressional District.)