Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) announced that he has been named to the New York Farm Bureau (NYFB) “Circle of Friends” for the 2017 session. This legislative award is based on Thiele’s demonstrated understanding of the importance of agriculture to eastern Long Island, as well as how the industry impacts the economy and the future of New York State.

The “Circle of Friends” honor is based upon each legislator’s voting record on issues of agricultural importance as well as other evidence of legislative support, including sponsorship of bills that New York Farm Bureau has either supported or opposed during the most recent legislative session.

Thiele stated, “I am honored to receive this recognition from the New York Farm Bureau, the State’s largest general farm advocacy organization. Throughout my political career, I have remained deeply committed to supporting and protecting New York’s family farms. Agriculture and its related industries are an integral component of the East End economy, so we must help farmers in managing their daily operations in an environmentally conscious and economically viable way.”

The “Circle of Friends” award is determined by a legislator’s voting record on issues of importance to New York agriculture, as well as evidence of other legislative support during the 2017 Legislative Session. Assemblyman Thiele has sponsored a number of key pieces of legislation that benefit our farmers and strengthen New York agriculture, including legislation to protect the goals of Suffolk County’s Farmland Preservation Program.