Senator Young Honored By The Cattaraugus County Farm Bureau

GOWANDA – As part of the Cattaraugus County Farm Bureau’s annual picnic, County Farm Bureau President Chuck Couture presented Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I- 57th District) with a placard honoring her dedication to agriculture.

“Farming is a cornerstone of our region and our state’s economy, and many local farms have been in their families for generations. I was honored to be recognized and will be proud to display the Farm Bureau’s placard in my office to remind everyone about the importance of agriculture,” said Senator Young.

Senator Young consistently has been named a member of the New York State Farm Bureau’s “Circle of Friends” for her dedicated support of agriculture and the Farm Bureau.

“Every year, I fight to restore farm research and marketing funds in the state budget to grow jobs on farms, for small business suppliers, and at food processing plants. During this year’s budget negotiations, we also secured the Farm Workforce Retention Credit to help area farms grow their bottom line and keep their operations running locally for years to come,” Senator Young said.

Cattaraugus County Farm Bureau President Chuck Couture said, “We are pleased that Senator Young attends our picnic every year and speaks to us about legislative issues. We appreciate her support for agriculture and the work she does in Albany for the farming community. Both she and Mr. Giglio are Farm Bureau members and we felt it was important for them to have a membership sign to display in their offices or homes.”

As part of this year’s state budget, as Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Young helped restore nearly $10 million in state support for farming and other agriculture programs. Among the programs that received funding were: the Apple Growers Association, Cornell Maple Research; Dairy Profit Teams at Farm Viability; Farm Viability Institute, Tractor Rollover Prevention program, and the Wine and Grape Foundation.

Senator Young also supported creation of the new Cornell Veterans to Farms program. The programs will develop several small veteran-owned farms through a pilot program that helps returning veterans and those seeking a career change to try agriculture, utilizing benefits they’ve earned under the GI Bill. The program provides veteran-farmers with training and expertise to begin their own successful small business.