SERINO WELCOMES RANKING MEMBER OF AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE TO DUTCHESS, HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL FARM NEEDS

August 31, 2020

Agriculture

Pictured from left to right at the Locust Hill Market are Sen. George Borrello, Sen. Serino, and County Executive Molinaro with Hoofprint Cheese Company owners, Katelyn and Brendan Foley.

HYDE PARK, NY–Senator Sue Serino this week welcomed the Ranking Member of the NYS Senate’s Agriculture Committee, Senator George Borrello, to Dutchess County for an extensive, two-day tour of local farms and markets to help highlight the need of the local agricultural industry.

Senator Sue Serino said, “Our farms and markets are a cornerstone of our Hudson Valley community, feeding our local families and powering our economy, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to show Senator Borrello first-hand all that our local farms have to offer. Whether it’s dealing with costly mandates from Albany, grappling with a shrinking market due to the pandemic, weathering an evolving climate or struggling to access effective broadband services to run their businesses, our famers overcome tremendous challenges each and every day to supply us with the nutritious food and important products we depend on. Now, more than ever, we need effective partners like Senator Borrello working hand-in-hand with our local community to ensure that the state is doing all it can to support our farmers.”

“It is such a pleasure to have the opportunity to visit several of the Hudson Valley’s wonderful farms and to speak with the hardworking, innovative owners who pour their heart and soul into producing the fresh, high-quality dairy, meat and produce that defines New York agriculture,” said Senator George Borrello, 57^th Senate District. “Farmers have faced tremendous challenges in recent years, from falling commodity prices, to weather events, to the ever-rising cost of operating in New York State. As the Ranking Member on the Senate’s Agriculture Committee, I am committed to working with great colleagues like Senator Serino to advocate on behalf of our farmers and in support of measures to ease the cost and regulatory burdens that undermine their ability to thrive and grow.”

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “Dutchess County’s agricultural industry is such a significant part of who we are as a community. We are grateful for the continued support of Senator Sue Serino for this crucial industry and we were thrilled to welcome Senator George Borrello of the NYS Senate’s Agriculture Committee, to tour some of our local farms and markets. These farms and markets provide health food choices, enhance our local employment opportunities and welcome visitors from near and far, all bolstering our local economy.”

The tours were coordinated by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County and led by Senior Resource Educator, Jennifer Fimbel.

Fimbel said, “My goal was to provide a tour that highlights the diversity of Dutchess County’s Agriculture here in the Hudson Valley.”

The two-day tour began Friday, August 28^th, at the Cooperative Extension’s Farm and Home Center in Millbrook, and included educational stops at: