Senator Nozzolio Receives “Circle of Friends” Award From New York Farm Bureau

In recognition of his support of the agriculture industry, State Senator Mike Nozzolio has been honored by the New York Farm Bureau with its “Circle of Friends” award.  The “Circle of Friends” award acknowledges Senator Nozzolio’s active support of New York agriculture and the New York Farm Bureau.

“It is an honor for me to receive this recognition from the New York Farm Bureau and I commend them for their continued advocacy on issues important to our farm families in Upstate New York,” said Senator Nozzolio. “As the State Senator representing one of the largest agricultural districts in New York, I know how important the farm industry is to our region, and I will continue to fight on their behalf.”

Senator Nozzolio’s recent accomplishments on behalf of the agriculture community include the establishment of the Ag Tech Park at the New York Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, a state-of-the art food laboratory that provides expert analytical testing for food safety and focuses on developing agriculture, food, and biological-based enterprises. Senator Nozzolio also worked to establish the Farm To School program to promote the purchase of homegrown products in our schools. He has also fought for State aid to assist area farmers, including apple growers, vegetable growers and wine and grape producers.

Senator Nozzolio is also supporting emergency legislation to direct $60 million in federal stimulus funds to help New York’s dairy farmers, who are facing declining milk prices and escalating costs. The Dairy Investment Act would provide a one-time direct support payment to provide immediate relief for New York’s dairy producers.

“Even as milk prices dropped to almost half of what they were last year, the disastrous 2009-10 State budget cut funding for critical farm improvement and marketing programs and hit farmers with huge hikes in taxes, utility charges, and health insurance premium costs,” said Senator Nozzolio. “Because farmers cannot afford increased costs in this economy, I voted against the State Budget and supported the Dairy Investment Act to provide immediate support to struggling family farms. As we move into the 2010 legislative session, I will continue to strongly support legislation that provides badly-needed relief for our State’s farms at a time when they need it most.”

Senator Nozzolio has been named to the “Circle of Friends” by the Farm Bureau each year since he was elected to serve as a member of the State Senate.

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