Assemblyman Chris Tague (R,C,I-Schoharie), ranking member of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture, hosted a forum the evening of April 22 to discuss the challenges facing the dairy industry and what can be done collectively to address the concerns of dairy farmers and those in the broader industry in an effort to connect the dots between farmers and legislators. The event was co-sponsored by Sen. Michelle Hinchey (SD-46), chair of the New York State Senate Committee on Agriculture, Sen. Pamela Helming (SD-54), ranking member of the Senate Legislative Commission on Rural Resources, and Sen. George Borrello (SD-57), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture.

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Broome), chair of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture, also spoke at the forum as a guest speaker, along with several dairy farmers, producers and industry experts. Members of Congressman Antonio Delgado’s (NY-19) legislative staff were also present at the event.

“I’ve always considered connecting lawmakers directly with those involved in our various agricultural industries themselves to be the most effective way of responding to their concerns in Albany, rather than making their lives more difficult,” said Tague. “By organizing events like this, along with my annual legislative farm tour, farmers and those in the industry get an opportunity to speak personally about their experiences and challenges in their work and have a meaningful dialogue with their legislators.”

“As a former farmer myself, I know the challenges professionals in agriculture face may be problems people outside of the business generally aren’t aware of, so I am proud to have given New Yorkers in the dairy industry the opportunity to share their experiences with us all today, said Tague.”