Local farms are crucial to New York’s food supply and economy, and it is important that they have the support they need to continue providing for all of us. New York farms produce dairy products, apples, maple syrup, wine, honey and so much more, and many of these farms can be found right here in Central New York. Throughout the budget process, I worked hard to ensure that these hard-working farmers can continue doing what they do best.

This year’s budget included $35.78 million in funding for agricultural aid to localities and other agricultural programs. This funding 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) and $300,000 for Northern NY Agricultural Development. More families faced food scarcity this year because of COVID-19, so I’m glad that the budget also included $50 million for Nourish NY, a program which has helped New York’s farms bring food to those most in need. Many farms may also be eligible for the small business assistance aid included in the budget — an historic $1-billion investment in our statewide economy which includes $800 million for the COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program.

I’m especially proud of the $300,000 I was instrumental in securing for the Cornell Hops Breeding Research and Extension Program. I prioritized this program’s inclusion in the budget based on feedback from local famers in Onondaga County. This research program will help New York State develop its own hops varieties and give a major boost to the state's burgeoning artisanal beer and micro-brewery industry, as well as hops farmers. Currently, many New York brewers must purchase patented hops breeds from out-of-state. Hopefully, thanks to this program, we will once again lead the nation in hops production and grow sought-after hops breeds right here in Central New York.

The budget also prioritized permanent farmland protection through the Environmental Protection Fund. The $18 million appropriation will help alleviate some of the financial pressures that can encourage farmers to sell their land and will ensure that farmland remains affordable and accessible to future generations of farmers.[1] This helps all of us by securing our state’s food supply, even during booms and busts in the crops and property markets.[2]

I’m proud to provide our farms with the support they need to thrive. Indeed, they don’t just grow our food supply; they grow our economy. I’ll continue working with my colleagues in the Assembly to support local agriculture and find ways to connect more people with nutritious, locally grown food.

To learn more about the 2021-22 budget or any other issue, please contact my office at (518) 455-4505, or send me an email at StirpeA@nyassembly.gov.

[1] https://www.morningagclips.com/alliance-for-nys-farmland-applauds-state-budget/

[2] https://web.osc.state.ny.us/reports/environmental/bet-on-the-farm_farmland-protection.pdf