In recent weeks, New York state’s dairy farmers have faced some truly unprecedented obstacles, but as we begin National Dairy Month, there is much to look forward to for those producing and distributing one of our most important commodities. Created in the 1930s, the month was initially designated to promote drinking milk to balance a production surplus. Today, the awareness campaign is used to celebrate the contributions of the industry and consider ways to make it stronger.

The Assembly Minority Conference has always staunchly supported dairy farmers. Many of our members represent districts with large farming communities, and we know well the obstacles they faced even before the COVID-19 outbreak crippled state and national economies. However, each year, New York’s farmers consistently show their resilience, their generosity and their unmatched work ethic. I am proud to support all they do for New York.

To that end, we have advocated at both the state and federal levels to provide financial support to farmers hit hard by the economic slowdown and pandemic fallout. On April 10, our Conference sent a letter urging President Trump to divert emergency resources to New York’s farmers through the recently enacted CARES Act. Following that, we communicated with Gov. Cuomo and other state leaders requesting regulatory relief for farmers, broader eligibility standards to help farmers receive federal stimulus money and access to expanded markets to boost opportunities for farms to move their goods.

Recently, I personally participated in milk drives aimed at helping alleviate supply-chain issues plaguing our dairy farm community. Alongside the American Dairy Association Northeast, and local officials and legislators, we have seen tremendous response from the community – successfully helping to prevent waste, bring people together and keeping our families nourished.

Our state and our region are beginning to see signs of a positive turnaround, after months of damaging lockdown restrictions. Regional economies upstate are starting to enter Phase 2 of long-awaited re-openings. This week, the state gave the go-ahead for restaurants to provide outdoor dining to customers, a much-needed boost to the food and beverage industry and the suppliers – including farmers – who service the industry.

This month, we begin a new path forward and hope for continued momentum as the state moves closer to complete recovery. As always, the success of New York’s dairy farmers will be a centerpiece of the state’s overall economic health.