This year’s News York State budget did not contain nearly enough tax relief for families and small-business owners in our state. However, the one area where New York got it 100 percent right was its investment in our crucial agriculture and markets programs. As the representative of an agricultural district, I work especially hard […]
This year’s News York State budget did not contain nearly enough tax relief for families and small-business owners in our state. However, the one area where New York got it 100 percent right was its investment in our crucial agriculture and markets programs.
As the representative of an agricultural district, I work especially hard to fight for the interests of our family farmers. With so many elected officials hailing from New York City, it can be a challenge. But nonetheless, I share stories with them about the farmers and dairy producers in my district and the innovations they are developing in one of the oldest industries in the world.
Agriculture is a powerhouse in New York that drives much of the upstate rural economy. Last year, the industry contributed $6 billion in sales to the state’s economy. Family farms account for much of the employment in our rural areas, and their business activities keep other service-related industries in business. There is no doubt that farming drives the rural economy.
Every year, the governor has tried to cut funding from agricultural programs. This year, he proposed $8 million in cuts — cuts even the Assembly Democratic majority thought were too much. The legislature worked across party lines to increase funding for these programs by millions of dollars. And, much of it will be used to support rural communities like those in my district.
These agricultural programs create ways for our family farms to be more profitable, expand the markets for their goods, increase scientific studies that support New York’s farmers, instill a passion for farming in our youth, and support community-based programs like Cornell Cooperative Extension, among others. New York’s farmers continue to make a commitment to us and our state; it is so encouraging to see that my legislative colleagues gave them the same commitment.
Marc W. Butler (R,C,I–Newport) is a New York State Assemblyman for the 118th District, which encompasses parts of Oneida, Herkimer, and St. Lawrence counties, as well as all of Hamilton and Fulton counties. Contact him at butlerm@assembly.state.ny.us