“New York City majority members have no business setting agricultural policy in our state, yet, annually they push forward the Farm Unionization Bill, which would kill our upstate agricultural economy. Even its sponsor could not answer clearly whether or not she has actually stepped onto a farm. The progressive agenda of these out-of-touch politicians would harm the very communities that they are supposedly trying to protect.

“Our family farmers and their employees are the ones out in the fields actually tending to the animals, crops and produce, and they know that a bill like this would do more harm than good. The close relationships and efforts of farmers and their employees have continued to make the dairy, produce and other emerging agricultural markets in our state thrive.

“New York’s laws already are stringent enough, and our farmers work closely with the state Department of Labor to ensure farm laborers work under and live in exemplary conditions. This progressive legislation, however, would result in fewer jobs, fewer economic opportunities throughout the North Country and the Mohawk Valley, and increased food costs for families.”