New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has formed the Strategic Interagency Task Force on Lessening Obstacles to Agriculture (SILO) to address barriers to the growth of New York’s agricultural economy.
Task-force members include representatives from agricultural businesses and state-government leaders.
The group’s work seeks to ensure that state agencies are communicating regularly, interacting efficiently, and lessening regulations on farms, the governor’s office said in a news release.
The task force is designed to improve how state agencies interact with farmers, producers, and each other, Cuomo said.
“Agriculture is vital to the State’s economy and by using constructive methods to identify and decrease barriers and leverage industry strengths, we can work proactively to promote growth, create jobs and support new economic opportunities statewide,” Cuomo said in the release.
Industry members of the task force include Brian Reeves, co-owner of Reeves Farms in Lysander; Dave Fisher, owner of Mapleview Dairy in Madrid in St. Lawrence County; and Jeff Williams, director of public policy at the New York Farm Bureau.
The state agencies involved include the New York State Departments of Agriculture and Markets, Environmental Conservation, Labor, Transportation, Public Service Commission, Health, and Tax and Finance, Cuomo’s office said.
In addition, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and Empire State Development are also participating.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com