It is exciting to see that agriculture is getting the respect, attention and funding it deserves. As your representative and ranking minority member of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, I have been working diligently to raise the issues and concerns facing this crucial industry. I’ve fought for family farms, supported agricultural innovation and encouraged investment in this important part of our upstate economy.

I am so proud to announce that New York state is investing over $27 million in agricultural programs and markets. That’s nearly a $6 million increase from last year.

We successfully staved off the cuts that the governor proposed. If his budget had passed, funding for important upstate agricultural programs like Northern New York Agricultural Development, Maple Producers, Dairy Profit Teams, Christmas Tree Farmers and North Country Low Cost Rabies Vaccine would have been entirely cut. Other programs would have faced significant funding cuts like the New York Farm Viability Institute, among others. Not only did we save these critical programs, we invested in more research and opportunities that will help New Yorkers take advantage of the abundance of harvestable forests.

To me, agriculture is not just something we should invest in to feel good about ourselves. It is a serious economic development engine in our region, and I am committed to funding research and support programs for our family farmers.

Agriculture represents a huge part of the state’s economy, but more and more people are leaving the industry. Family farms continue to decline in numbers throughout New York state. It’s important that we support new and potential farmers. We can sustain agriculture with both traditional and non-traditional programs. I am proud to support measures that will help inspire and cultivate the next generation of farmers.

The Future Farmers of America (FFA) program has wonderfully shaped, trained and developed our youth to pursue agricultural careers. I always enjoy meeting or working with our FFA, they have a wonderful vision for the agricultural industry in our state. I am pleased to announce that I voted to boost funding by an additional $158 million for this important educational program.

Additionally, we created a new Beginning Farmers NY Fund, which provides grants up to $50,000 to new farmers to encourage more young people to pursue farming as a career. The program encourages and fosters innovative farming techniques and places an emphasis on small family farming.

There will always be a need to feed New York and America. I want to be sure the tools are there to prepare our region’s farmers to take advantage of agricultural demand, our fertile soils, and the resources to create an economically-sustainable industry that creates jobs and economic activity in upstate New York.