Write a commentIt's often said that there are two New Yorks: one is the fast-paced world of the five boroughs, the other is Upstate New York, where generations of family farmers help feed us all.
During National Agriculture Week, we recognize just how vital the latter one is to our state and our nation.
Agriculture is undoubtedly one of New York's most important industries. Across the state, there are more than 30,000 farm operations covering 6.4 million acres, and an overwhelming 94.6% of those farms are family-owned. Together, they generate roughly $8 billion in agricultural sales each year. If you had a glass of milk today, there's a good chance it came from one of New York's 630,000 dairy cows, which produce more than 16 billion pounds of milk each year. Agriculture in New York, including food processing, accounts for nearly 200,000 jobs statewide.
To support this essential sector, New York has developed a number of strong agricultural programs. Initiatives like Taste NY, Farm to School, Nourish NY, New York State Grown and Certified and the Cornell Cooperative Extension all play an important role in connecting farmers to markets, strengthening local food systems and educating the next generation of farmers. These programs promote locally grown products and ensure communities across the state have access to fresh, nutritious food.
That local connection is evident through the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County (CCE Oswego), which continues to be a valuable resource for farmers in our communities. On April 1, CCE Oswego will host its 2026 Ag Agency Awareness Day in collaboration with the Oswego County Soil and Water Conservation District, USDA Farm Service Agency and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The free workshop is designed for aspiring farmers, beginning farmers and established agricultural producers who are looking for information on how to improve or expand their agricultural business. You can register here.
The Town of Mexico and Village of Mexico are also taking important steps to protect the future of agriculture. Their newly completed Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan lays out a comprehensive strategy to protect farmland, strengthen local farms and sustain agriculture as a defining part of the community's identity and economy. I encourage you to attend the public hearing on March 23 at 6 p.m. at the Mexico Middle School auditorium located at 16 Fravor Rd., Mexico. Residents, farmers, landowners and business owners are all invited to attend and provide comments prior to final adoption by the town and village boards.
It's no secret, upstate communities are facing immense pressures from development patterns, land fragmentation, rising land values and economic challenges within the farming sector. If we want to keep New York strong, we must continue investing in our farmers, protecting our farmland and supporting policies that allow this industry to thrive. The food grown Upstate feeds families Downstate, and the success of our farms strengthens the entire state. National Agriculture Week is a reminder that when we support our farmers, we support New York as a whole.
If you have any questions or comments on this or any other state issue, or if you would like to be added to my mailing list or receive my newsletter, please contact my office. My office can be reached by mail at 19 Canalview Mall, Fulton, NY 13069 and by email at [email protected]. You may also find me, Assemblyman Will Barclay, on Facebook or X at @WillABarclay.
