Our Senate district is privileged to host so many of the hardworking fruit and vegetable farmers, dairy producers, and agritourism businesses that feed New York State and preserve our open spaces. Issues and concerns that center this industry are always at the top of my priority list when I’m in Albany, and I fight hard to ensure these voices are well represented.
Seeing my direct-to-consumer shipping bill passed and signed by the Governor (in time for holiday ordering from New York’s cideries and distilleries) was a huge win this year. Another was the $146k in funding for the Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District for the purchase of new equipment the District loans to small farms on tight budgets. This year’s budget saw millions invested in dairy farm modernization initiatives and on-farm milk storage tech and processing infrastructure which will seek to mitigate transport issues during winter and avoid raw milk dumping related to emergencies.
Of the roughly 30,000 farms in New York State, nearly 98% are family owned. I know Orange County farms and farmers feed New York, and I am proud to support – and fight when necessary – for that vital work.
Thank you for your faith in me. It’s an honor to continue to serve as your State Senator.
