With the recent economic climate in our state making it difficult for farmers to make ends meet it is crucial that we, as lawmakers, give New York farmers every advantage possible in order to maintain their high quality and production. The agriculture industry is vital to New York’s economy and we can ill afford to have one of its leading industries continue to struggle.
I have joined my Assembly minority colleagues to unveil a multi-faceted plan – crafted in response to concerns raised by farmers at a series of statewide hearings – aimed at propping up New York’s vital agriculture industry.
The plan is contained in a 35-page interim report by the Assembly Minority Task Force, in which I was a member, on the State of New York Agriculture, which gathered input from farmers, state and local officials, representatives of agricultural organizations, producers, and other interested parties.
The 12-member Task Force organized agricultural tours and hosted nine regional forums throughout New York State, from the eastern shores of Long Island to Orleans County in the western part of the state. At each stop, the Task Force was received enthusiastically by local experts eager to provide information and ideas for improving our state’s agriculture.
Our interim report features a three-part approach to enhancing New York agriculture: strengthening the agricultural economy, improving farm marketing and profitability, and protecting farming and farmland.
Proposals in the report include:
- Creation of Agricultural Development Zones to provide Empire Zone-like benefits to farmers and other agricultural concerns;
- Establishing an "Export New York" program to assist New York growers in finding worldwide markets for their products;
- Providing grants for farmers to process their own products on-site, increasing profitability;
- Issuing year-round wildlife control permits to allow farmers to protect crops, and
- Providing additional funding for farmland preservation.
A full list of the Task Force’s recommendations can be obtained by calling my Herkimer Office at 315-866-1632 or my Johnstown Office at 518-762-6486.