Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-Utica/Rome) recently attended the New York State Future Farmers of America (NYS FFA) convention, which took place virtually from May 9 through May 14. The convention featured presentations from agricultural professionals, workshops and tours regarding the agricultural industry, and networking opportunities for young FFA members.

“From providing the healthy food that nourishes our families to employing our friends and neighbors, farmers are integral contributors to our state’s economy,” Buttenschon said. “The Future Farmers of America program is an excellent way to encourage young aspiring farmers and highlight our strong agricultural industry, and I’m happy to have had the opportunity to attend this convention. This last year has been especially hard on our agricultural community, which is why I’m committed to fighting for legislation that uplifts our hardworking farmers as we rebuild and recover.”

Assemblywoman Buttenschon has long been an outspoken advocate for New York state farmers. This past year, she sponsored and co-sponsored a number of bills aimed at helping farmers and the agricultural industry, including measures that will:

• allow the Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) to establish and encourage young farmer apprenticeship programs (Ch. 298 of 2020);
• create the Marketing and Export Trade New York (MEET-NY) program, which provides assistance to small, local businesses looking to expand and enter the export market (A.1177);
• allow custom operators performing agricultural practices on behalf of a farm operator or owner to pursue right-to-farm protections (A.1889-A); and
• include animal and plant fiber, such as sheep’s wool and hemp, in the state’s promotion of New York farm products included in the Grown and Certified Program (A.5380-B).

Buttenschon also fought for a 2021-22 state budget that helps ensure our hardworking farmers receive the funding they need to continue fueling our state’s economy. Buttenschon helped secure a final budget that provides $35.78 million for Agricultural Aid to Localities, which includes:

• $1.46 million for the Cornell University Diagnostic Lab
• $1 million for the New York Farm Viability Institute
• $1 million for Agribusiness Child Care
• $600,000 for Harvest NY
• $500,000 for Farmland for the New Generation
• $400,000 for Cornell Equitable Farm Futures Initiative
• $336,000 for Cornell Farm Family Assistance (FarmNet)
• $300,000 for Northern NY Agricultural Development

The budget also allocates $50 million for the Nourish NY program to help tackle food insecurity.

Furthermore, Buttenschon is fighting for measures that would help farmers find beneficial ways to reuse waste tires and incentivize insurance corporations to invest in rural business growth funds and establish a fund dedicated to the well-being of New York agriculture and rural jobs (A.1231, A.2552).