This is a wonderful time of year. The weather begins to cool, the leaves begin to turn and the North Country and the Mohawk Valley go into full harvest mode. Families begin to flock to apple orchards and pumpkin patches. New York’s agricultural abundance abounds through all the fertile fields and productive dairy farms.

Agriculture is the largest industry in our great state and the heart of our local economy. Farming provides jobs and crucial resources to our communities. In farming and animal husbandry, we see the perfect meld of tradition with innovation and discovery. I am so proud to be an advocate of our family farmers as the Ranking Assembly Minority Member of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture.

Since I took office, we’ve accomplished some great victories for the agricultural community and for my district. For several years in a row, the governor proposed budget cuts to our agricultural programs that New York farming families just couldn’t afford. Nevertheless, I am happy to report that in this year’s budget, we increased support by nearly $6 million, for a total of over $27 million for research, family farming support, farmers’ markets, agricultural fair programs, livestock and dairy programs, as well as crop and produce programs. This is especially beneficial to our economy as the USDA has reported that every dollar invested in agricultural research generates $10 for the local economy.

Additionally, we’ve been able to save the Northern New York Agricultural Development program three years in a row from being cut entirely by the governor. This year, we increased funding to $600,000. It is important to support the efforts of upstate farmers, because it is here that innovations in crop, dairy, maple, and wine farming and cultivation take place. We showed the governor the importance of what our family farmers contribute to our local communities and the state as a whole.

We are surrounded by some of the most productive and beautiful landscape in the country. I encourage you, as autumn approaches, to drive out in the countryside, visit a farmer or a farm stand, and take in the wonderful agricultural abundance around us.

I welcome your ideas and questions regarding family farming, the economy or any other state matter. Please contact me by calling 493-3909 or by emailing me at blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us.