Sen. Ritchie's Ag Forum in Watertown Tuesday

Agricultural Business Forum To Set Senate Ag Committee's Agenda

New York State Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Patty Ritchie says her Agricultural Business Forum in Watertown on Tuesday will help her committee set the agenda for the upcoming legislative session.

“If we really want to revitalize New York’s economy, it’s absolutely critical that we harness our family farm businesses which make up so much of the upstate economy,” Senator Ritchie said. “Too often too many forget that our family farms produce what our manufacturers need.”

“Cheese, maple, ice cream, yogurt, fruits, vegetables and wine are just a few of the manufactured products being produced at businesses across upstate New York thanks to our family-owned farms,” Senator Ritchie said. “These companies produce high paying industrial and manufacturing jobs that fuel the economies of our communities across the Empire State.”

The first Ag Forum will be held at 1 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Dulles State Office Building at 317 Washington Street in Watertown.

If you are interested in attending, submitting testimony or getting more information, please contact the Senate Agriculture Committee at 518-455-3438.

Senator Ritchie also announced creation of a special web-form on her website, www.ritchie.nysenate.gov, for farmers and those interested in agriculture issues to share their ideas for boosting farming and helping to create jobs.

Senator Ritchie said, in addition to the Watertown forum, she has scheduled the following events, each beginning at 1 p.m.:

Oct. 18, Geneseo, Livingston County Center, 6 Court St.

Oct. 20, Long Island, Riverhead Town Hall

To submit testimony, preregister, or get more information, contact the Senate Agriculture Committee, at (518) 455-3438.