Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt (R,I,C-Greenwood Lake) today joined her Assembly colleagues, as well as state agriculture representatives and members of New York’s dairy industry, at their annual Dairy Day reception in Albany. The event, which has become an Assembly Minority tradition, was held in recognition of June as National Dairy Month.
“Dairy Day is not just a celebration of New York’s agricultural heritage, it is a day for lawmakers in Albany to meet with farmers and other members of the agricultural industry to discuss problems and solutions,” said Assemblywoman Rabbitt. “Many of my constituents rely on agriculture for their very survival. Because of this and the fact that the industry is so vital to our state economy, it is incumbent on us to do everything we can to boost the dairy industry.”
Rabbitt explains that agriculture is the state’s top industry. With an estimated 6,400 dairy farms, New York is third in the nation in dairy production. Milk sales alone account for one-half of the total agricultural receipts in New York. In fact, milk sales this past year have brought in $1.4 billion to the state. New York also provides the nation with abundant supplies of other dairy products including ice cream, yogurt and butter.
“Preservation of farm land, lowering operation costs, and reducing burdensome state regulations are a must if we want dairy farms to thrive in the Hudson Valley region,” said Rabbitt. “I am committed to doing everything I can to bring increased aid and remove unnecessary obstacles so that our farms can continue to do business in New York.”
Vendors featured at today’s event included McCadam Cheese, Brown Cow Ice Cream, HP Hood, Heluva Good, Garelick Farms, Byrne Dairy, Friendship Dairies, American Dairy Association, NYS Dairy Foods Inc., Pride of New York, Upstate Niagara Co-Op, Ronnybrook Farm Dairy and Stewarts.