Ritchie Renamed Chair of Senate Agriculture Committee

Also Lands Spots on Committees Key to Central and Northern New York Communities

State Senator Patty Ritchie has announced she has been renamed Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and was also named to serve on several committees with direct oversight of issues that are key to the regions she represents.

“Strengthening our agriculture industry is a priority for me, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to build upon recent accomplishments and continue to support our state’s farming industry as Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee,” said Senator Ritchie.

“Agriculture is our state’s #1 industry, and it’s especially important to the Central and Northern New York regions I represent. By working alongside our farmers and my colleagues, we can continue to support agriculture,  expand opportunities for farmers, create jobs and revitalize the economy as a whole.”

Born on a family farm in St. Lawrence County, Senator Ritchie has a strong understanding of the agriculture industry.  As a freshman Senator, she was named Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee in 2011. 

Throughout her first term in office, Senator Ritchie fought to restore funding for critical agriculture programs after they were cut by 90 percent prior to her becoming Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

As Chair, Senator Ritchie has made it a priority to support and grow the agriculture industry through cutting red tape, lowering taxes, creating agriculture related employment opportunities and expanding markets for farmers—including encouraging New York State and local governments to purchase more locally grown and manufactured food products. 

In addition to her reappointment as Agriculture Committee Chair, Senator Ritchie also was named to serve on the following committees: Higher Education, Local Governments, Crime and Corrections, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Energy, Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and Civil Service and Pensions.