While National Farmers Market Week has come to an end, every week is a good week to visit local farms and farmers’ markets in the Hudson Valley and New York state! These hardworking, often family-owned farms and farm stands are the backbone of New York’s agricultural industry.

Pick up diverse cheeses, delicious milk and other incredible dairy products at farms like Peaceful Valley Dairy. Try some of New York’s best maple syrup from places like Finding Home Farms—syrup is their specialty. Peruse a wide range of farm fresh products and nutritious farm-to-table foods at farmers’ markets throughout the district, aimed at bringing the community together and supporting local farmers.

Throughout my time as an Assemblyman, I’ve visited places like these and so many more, whether it was alongside other state leaders, during Farm-to-Table Tours in Assembly District 98, or celebrating ribbon cuttings for new agricultural businesses. New York state is a leading agricultural state in the U.S., worth more than $8 billion in revenue in 2022, according to the New York Farm Bureau. And 98% of farms statewide are family-owned.

It is critical we support our farmers and farming families who work tirelessly to ensure New Yorkers have access to healthy, fresh foods and naturally made products year-round. That is why I am proud to have cosponsored several proposals to help invest in New York’s booming agricultural industry and provide a much-needed voice in Albany for New York farmers.

Assembly proposal A.3623 would have established the New York Food Insecurity, Farm Resiliency and Rural Poverty Initiative and A.3221 would have incentivized vendors to source New York-produced goods. While these two proposals were unfortunately blocked by Albany’s lawmakers from moving forward this year, my colleagues and I will push to reintroduce these and fight for similar proposals so they can move forward in the near future.

I am also a cosponsor of Assembly proposal A.4620, which will expand the farm building tax exemption to include on-farm buildings and structures used for processing crops produced on-farm, and A.154, which will help offset costs for property owners if their property is being used in the production of bio-energy crops by providing a real property tax exemption.

This summer, I am excited to continue to meet with hardworking farmers and community members throughout Assembly District 98. Hearing their concerns and ideas about the future of New York’s agricultural industry is essential, and I am committed to having their backs and always acting in their best interest.

As we look forward to the upcoming fall harvest and National Farmer’s Day on October 12, 2025, I encourage everyone to get outside and visit local farm stands and farmers’ markets this summer! Our farmers play a vital role in our communities, and we must all do our part to help them continue to grow, expand and thrive for generations to come.