Recently, I had the honor of attending the Central New York Farm Progress show. I am always amazed by the ideas and innovation developing out of the agricultural industry, especially among our local family farmers and small family-owned agri-businesses.
When you look at the progress from early farming techniques to what we see today, I am often taken aback by the advancements made in this very traditional industry. It seems to me that innovation is happening all the time in agriculture.
New York supports robust conventional and organic farming, which has helped to economically sustain families and our rural communities. Farmers, scientists and business owners are constantly looking to improve yield and quality, and increase opportunities to capitalize on new and emerging markets for New York’s agricultural goods.
There are new varieties of fruits, vegetables and crops developed every year. It wasn’t too long ago that Cornell University announced the creation of a few new varieties of apples. Interestingly, there are more and more farmers devoted to bringing back long-forgotten heirloom plant varieties, while others are saving rare livestock breeds.
Farming, science and old-fashioned intuition have combined to make agriculture one of the most productive and largest industries in New York. Whether you look at dairy farms or crop farms, innovation and hard work are making a difference.
As your assemblyman, I strive to provide resources to our agricultural programs that help support innovation and excellence. When our agricultural programs were being de-funded earlier this year by the governor, I fought to ensure that not only was the funding restored, but also increased by $4.5 million.
I applaud all the work of our family farmers and encourage my constituents to go to a farmers’ market, get to know a farming family and advocate for policies that support our job-creating agricultural industry.
Please share your ideas with me about agriculture and the economy by contacting my Herkimer office at (315) 866-1632 or my Johnstown office at (518) 762-6486. You also can email me at butlerm@assembly.state.ny.us.