New York State Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-Utica/Rome) issued the following statement after an exciting tour of six farms in her district on Tuesday.

“What a beautiful day on the farm! I want to thank several of our hardworking farmers, Cornell Cooperative Extension leadership and staff, farmer/Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol, and John Wagner, Senior Area Field Supervisor at the New York Farm Bureau who took time to welcome my NYS Assembly colleagues and I,’’ Buttenschon said. “We toured small and medium sized dairy and beef farms, tasted incredible locally grown food, and learned about the challenges and opportunities facing members of our vegetable and agricultural industry. Collins Farm and Creamery, R. Jones Nursery and Landscaping, DiNitto Farms, Candella's Greenhouses & Vegetable Stand, Sciortino Farms, and Buttenschon Tree Farm were all amazing hosts.”

“I also want to thank Assemblymember’s Aileen Gunther, D. Billy Jones, Jen Lunsford, Jaime Williams, Catalina Cruz, Agricultural Committee Chairperson Donna Lupardo, and Brian Miller for visiting some of the great farmers, and business leaders in the 119th District,’’ Buttenschon said.

“I was incredibly grateful to be able to tour some of the farms in the 119^th district. It was extremely informative and gives me a lot to think about when it comes to how we can support New York’s entire agricultural industry,’’ said 100^th District Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther following the visit.

Tuesday’s tour was designed to educate and inform members on the issues facing the agricultural industry in Assemblywoman Buttenschon’s district, and across New York State.