As one of New York State’s oldest industries, agriculture continues to grow and change while remaining a critical component of our economy today. There’s no denying that family farms are an integral part of our region, and agriculture plays a fundamental role in making our state’s economy healthy and diverse. That’s why this upcoming session, it’s imperative that we continue to fight for better state policies and funding to help family farmers thrive and support this important industry.

Recently, the North Country and Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Councils were awarded over $185 million to be invested throughout the region. Some of this critical funding will be invested in innovative agriculture and agribusiness projects for this coming year.

Currently, the Mohawk Valley is cultivating two dynamic, multi-regional efforts to market our diverse agribusiness entrepreneurs, food processors, and craft brewers. Driven by the partnership of I Love NY, the Central New York Tourism Region is organizing the CNY Fresh initiative and the nationally-recognized Brew Central campaign. These important initiatives leverage regional specializations unique to the Mohawk Valley, Central New York, and the Southern Tier economies. I’m excited to see how this project progresses and helps foster growth in agribusiness and stimulate innovation for the Mohawk Valley this year.

Meanwhile, the North Country has seen its acres of active farmland rise six percent, the value of its agricultural products rise 26 percent, and employment in the agricultural and forestry industries go up 14 percent since 2010. This is great progress, but we must work tirelessly to make sure policies and investments help bolster and build on this success in 2016.

Thankfully, as the Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture, I have the opportunity to strongly advocate for our family farmers and issues impacting the agricultural industry throughout our region and statewide. At times, it can be challenging with so many elected officials hailing from New York City, but I will not stop fighting for the interests of farmers and for much-needed funding to develop new innovations in the agriculture industry.

I welcome your thoughts on agriculture in our state or any other legislative matter. Please call me at 493-3909 or email me at blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us to share your ideas.