I celebrate the diversity and heritage of our farm families and communities who carry out the extremely important industry of agriculture in New York State. From the Southern Tier, to the Greater Adirondacks, from the harbors of Long Island to the shores of Lake Erie, agriculture is one of New York State’s top industries. In the most recent figures, agriculture returned over $3.6 billion to the New York State economy. Dairy, apples, and grapes are the primary agricultural commodities in New York. At the same time, our farmers also produce a wide variety of other crops, including sweet corn, cabbage, snap beans, and onions for both the processing and fresh market. The production, processing, distribution and marketing of agricultural products employ nearly 1 million New Yorkers. In addition, the rural landscapes, farmlands and vineyards provide a source of recreation and scenic beauty for the thousands of tourists and residents who visit New York’s rural communities every year.

I will continue to fight hard to preserve critical Farm Bill programs that benefit New York agriculture and farmers. Over the past six years, I have been particularly instrumental in conveying to the USDA the needs of New York farmers for disaster relief and crop insurance. I have also fought hard to maintain programs in resource conservation, economic development, and specialty crops that are vital to the environmental and economic health of our family farms and rural communities.

I recognize the growing importance and demand for New York State agricultural products and I am continually working to promote the growth of the agricultural industry by creating innovative options for the distribution and marketing of New York State commodities. In the fall of 2003, I announced my Farm-to-Fork initiative, which I created in order to promote and conserve the amazing diversity of New York State’s agriculture and to connect farmers and producers with distributors, retailers, consumers, farmers markets, restaurateurs, and schools in other parts of the state, particularly New York City. In March 2007, I introduced the School Food Fresh Act, which not only benefits local farmers by selling fruits and vegetables to area schools, but also guarantees that our school children are fed quality produce.

In addition, I support policies to diversify our energy supplies by investing in renewable energy technologies such as biofuels. That’s why I have proposed the Strategic Energy Fund to jumpstart our transition to cleaner energy sources and to reduce America's oil dependence and greenhouse gas emissions. There is an agricultural opportunity for the State of New York in my energy strategy and I hope to make our state a stronghold of renewable energy sources.

Dairy Farmers
Dairy is the leading agricultural commodity and pillar of New York State’s economy, creating approximately $1.9 billion in receipts. New York is the third largest dairy producing state in the country. I value the importance of this industry to our state’s economy and am committed to keeping our dairy farm families going strong. MORE»

Apple Growers
The apple industry is a vital part of New York's agriculture economy and a healthy lifestyle. New York apples cannot be beat for taste, crispness, and quality. They are undeniably delicious! In 2006, farmers harvested over 1.2 billion pounds of apples worth about $264 million, making New York State the second largest apple producing state in the country. MORE»

Specialty Crops
Specialty crops like fruit, vegetables, and other horticultural items add variety and spice to our diets and our lives. Coloring our plate and decorating our homes, farmers and growers across the State provide us with strawberries, maple syrup, tart cherries, sweet corn, bedding plants, snap beans, Christmas trees, and more. New York State is the second largest producer of cabbage, second in the nation in apples, third in grapes and cauliflower and fifth in onions for the 2006 harvest. MORE»

Crop Disaster
New York State's agricultural production has been significantly damaged by recent snow storms and floods. I am fully aware of the damaging impact that these events had on yields and economy of our farmers. I will continue to be active in getting the disaster declarations for our adversely affected counties, so that the necessary relief can be given to affected farmers. MORE»

Resource Conservation and Preservation
Farmers across the state work hard to be good environmental stewards, keeping the air, land and water safe and clean for all of us with the help of government conservation programs. But many of our conservation programs have had to turn farmers away when asking for assistance to protect our environment because of a lack of funds. MORE»

New York Farm Day
In September 2006, I hosted my fifth annual New York State Farm Day on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC to celebrate our farmers. This annual event has served to highlight the abundance, diversity and quality of agricultural commodities produced in New York State, from Long Island, to the Hudson Valley, to the Finger Lakes, to the Adirondacks, to the Catskills, to Lake Erie. MORE»

Farm-to-Fork: Linking NY Farmers, Expanding NY Markets
One of my favorite initiatives that I have had the pleasure of starting as Senator is Farm-to-Fork. One of Farm-to-Fork’s primary objectives is to promote economic viability for New York State farmers and producers through the creation of distribution networks and the expansion of markets, particularly, though not limited to, New York City. MORE»

Agricultural Labor
I am a strong supporter of establishing an effective, legal workforce for the agricultural sector in New York State. I recognize that affordable and reliable labor is an important factor in maintaining a viable farm operation. For these reasons, I am proud to co-sponsor the Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2007 in the 110th Congress, as I have done in previous Congresses. AgJobs has broad bipartisan support and is the result of years of negotiations among growers and workers. MORE»

Renewable Energy
I firmly believe that a strong, balanced national energy policy is a key to strong economic and environmental policies as well. We need a policy that promotes the use of energy efficient technologies and alternative and renewable sources and increases energy production without disturbing precious natural resources, such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Our energy policy must also improve the reliability of our electricity transmission grid, protect the public's health from harmful air emissions, and create jobs. MORE»