“The Grow NY Farms Coalition is disappointed that minimum wage will continue to increase, driving…
Twelve years ago, New York state was third in the nation in milk production. Now, the state is fifth.
Farmers trying to diversify their revenue streams, meanwhile, are keeping a close eye on legislation that would create a new statewide recycling program and shift responsibility from private companies and municipalities to producers. For farmers, that means wineries or agribusinesses selling milk, cheese, wine, ciders and other packaged goods. Gov. Kathy Hochul wants an exemption for agricultural commodities. The legislation as currently written also prohibits increasing the cost of goods so producers can recover the costs of the new recycling responsibilities.
Agriculture is still a vitally important industry here in Chautauqua County. Dairy farms in the south county and vineyards in the north county are important for our tax base, employment and as sources of ingredients used in a multitude of cheeses, wines, yogurts, jellies and hundreds of other products. Those industries are, in our opinion, reaching a breaking point. Lawmakers must keep that in mind as they decide on this budget.
Click here for the Editorial on the Jamestown Post-Journal’s website.