TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cover Image: Schoharie Valley) NYSAC Task Force Addressing the Challenges Facing New York’s Farms The State of Farming in New York Agriculture Still Important to Our Economic Future NY Farms Weather Challenges, Leverage Opportunities Farming at A … Continue reading →

By Doug Berwanger, Wyoming County Chairman Chairman of the NYSAC Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of Farming in NYS This year, NYSAC turned to face an issue very close to the heart of many of our members. Many … Continue reading →

By Senator Darrel Aubertine, Chairman Senate Committee on Agriculture Agriculture is the foundation of our economy. As the only active farmer serving in the State Legislature and as a former dairy farmer for more than three decades, I know on … Continue reading →

Jerry Cosgrove, Deputy Commissioner NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets On behalf of Governor Paterson and Commissioner Hooker, I want to thank the Association for inviting me here to accept the report of the NYSAC Blue Ribbon Task Force on … Continue reading →

By Assemblyman William Magee, Chairman Assembly Committee on Agriculture New York State represents many different agriculture businesses compared to other states across the country ranging from dairy, livestock, maple syrup, wine and grapes, and apple production just to name a … Continue reading →

By Julie Suarez, Director of Public Policy New York Farm Bureau As many of you may know, New York Farm Bureau is an almost 30,000 member family farm organization that seeks to serve and strengthen agriculture. Our organization welcomes the … Continue reading →

By David Haight, New York State Director American Farmland Trust As candidates for statewide office crisscross the State sharing their vision for New York and how they will tackle the financial difficulties our State faces if elected, they regularly stop … Continue reading →

By Kathleen Jimino, Rensselaer County Executive Now more than ever as our local farmers struggle to stay in business across New York State, it is vital that we keep a keen eye and take the necessary proactive steps to defend … Continue reading →

By Paula J. Schafer, Sr. Resource Educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension and Jennifer L. Ciulla, Publications Specialist, Saratoga County Board of Supervisors There is a lot of talk about property taxes in New York and even more talk about ways to … Continue reading →

By Todd M. Schmit and Miguel I. Gómez, Cornell University Every fall, Sullivan County taxpayers listen with anticipation to the debate that results in the adoption of an annual county budget, and the bottom line–what effect this has on real … Continue reading →