Senator Gallivan Attends Hearing on Growing NY Agriculture

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, (R-C-I, Elma) a member of the New York State Senate Agriculture Committee, heard testimony Tuesday from agriculture leaders on how the state can support the growth of its leading industry.  Agriculture Committee Chair Senator Patty Ritchie hosted the Albany hearing.  

During the hearing, the senators heard testimony from key stakeholders from nearly two dozen agricultural organizations and businesses. The Senate Agriculture Committee will use the information to create new policies that will directly help growers and producers across the Empire State.

“As we prepare for a new Legislative session, it’s important that we hear from farmers and others in the agriculture industry about the challenges they face and how the state can best support them,” Gallivan said. “New York’s economy depends on a strong agricultural industry and I appreciate the input we received from those who testified at Tuesday’s hearing.”

“Agriculture remains New York State’s leading industry, and if we want it to remain as such, we need to make sure we are tapping into the insights and ideas that those on the front line have for helping it to grow,” said Ritchie. “I would like to thank those who participated in this hearing and look forward to putting the ideas they shared for supporting farmers and strengthening agriculture into motion.”

Those delivering testimony included representatives of the New York Farm Bureau, Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, FFA, NY Maple Producers, Cornell Center for Dairy Excellence and the New York Farm Viability Institute, among others.  They shared details on challenges faced by those in the industry and ideas for supporting its future success.  Several of the challenges discussed were low milk prices, adapting to changing weather and attracting new people to the profession, among others.

In addition, those testifying also thanked the Senate Agriculture Committee for its efforts in recent years to restore and increase funding for vitally important programs. In 2017, for the third straight year, the state budget included record funding for agriculture.

Included in the spending plan was $51 million—which included $10 million in restored cuts made in the Executive Budget proposal—that is helping to support dozens of programs farmers depend on, as well as to launch new initiatives designed to strengthen the connection between consumers and local foods.

-30-