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County-Lead Task Force Promotes Better Farm Policies in New York
March 15, 2010
A new statewide coalition of county government leaders met in Albany today to address the challenges facing the New York farmer.
The group—NYSAC’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of Farming in New York State—is made up of dozens of county leaders who are also farmers or who work in the farming industry.
“We formed this task force to make sure we—at the local and state government levels—are doing what we can to encourage and assist our New York Farmers,” said NYSAC President Tom Santulli, who created the task force last month. “More needs to be done to mobilize both public and private resources to support our Agriculture industry, and this group of county leaders will help develop a series of recommendations from our local government perspective.”
The Task Force convened for a day-long event on Monday to define the scope of its work and develop a series of proposals to assist the farm industry. The Blue Ribbon Task Force also received testimony from the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, the New York Farm Bureau and Farm Credit East (the largest farm credit lender in the Northeast).
“Our Task Force members are on the front lines. We understand the challenges facing farmers and their contribution to state and local governments across the state, and we are coming together to do something about assisting them. Together, we believe we can have a real impact on state and local policy affecting this industry,” said Task Force Chairman Doug Berwanger, who also serves as the chairman of the Wyoming County Board of Supervisors.
Today’s meeting coincided with the No Farms, No Food rally held at the State Capitol. The rally, sponsored by American Farmland Trust, brought together hundreds farmers from all parts of New York State. The rally was held to raise greater awareness of and promote support for a stronger farm and food economy, healthy environment, and to promote nutritious New York State products such as milk, fruits, vegetables and meats.
“The biggest challenge for the farm community today is the basic uncertainty about the future—our competitiveness in the global economy, and our ability to have a supportive governmental structure at all levels. The New York Farm Bureau is very pleased with NYSAC’s re-emphasis on the importance of the farm community to all in New York. Our ability to keep local farms producing local food for local people depends on the actions we take today as a state,” said Julie Suarez, the director of public policy for New York Farm Bureau.
“Agriculture and agriculture related businesses are vital to the state’s economy. We must realign and rethink the programs and services sponsored by government to address the needs of the modern farmer. We must partner with our farmers with a comprehensive goal to preserve, promote and protect the New York farmer,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario.
The Task Force will meet again this summer and work on a series of recommendations it will present to the NYSAC membership at its Fall Seminar in Erie County.
The New York State Association of Counties is a bipartisan municipal association serving all 62 counties of New York State including the City of New York. Organized in 1925, NYSAC’s mission is to represent, educate and advocate for member counties and the thousands of elected and appointed county officials who serve the public.
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