NYFB Members Join Governor Hochul's Roundtable Discussion on Agriculture

Governor seeks input from farmers across New York on effects of tariffs

NYFB Lobby Day follows popular Taste of New York reception

Albany, NY — New York Farm Bureau (NYFB) members and staff flocked to the Capitol today for the organization’s annual Lobby Day, an opportunity to bring member stories to legislators and discuss priorities. At the request of Gov. Kathy Hochul, a select group of NYFB members and partners joined her and Commissioner of Agriculture Richard Ball for a roundtable discussion on the heels of the higher tariffs imposed today on goods imported from Canada, Mexico and China.

Leading the NYFB contingent was board vice president Kim Skellie, personnel manager and partner of El-Vi Farms. Other participants included Jim Bittner, president and general manager, Bittner-Singer Orchards; Christina Hudson Kohler, egg processing manager, Hudson Egg Farms; Darlene Krisher-Meehan, NYFB board member and owner, Country Crossroads Feed & Seeds; Chris Laughton, director of knowledge exchange, Farm Credit East; Kevin Ellis, CEO, Upstate Niagara Cooperative; and Judi Whittaker, co-owner, Whittaker Farms.

“We appreciate Gov. Hochul taking the time to listen to the issues we care about most in her executive budget, especially funding for agricultural research and for agricultural animal health, including avian flu, as well as supporting the development of a Low Carbon Fuel Standard,” Skellie said. “We also were able to share firsthand how higher tariffs are already affecting our members, and the governor indicated that she would use these stories when speaking with legislators.”

Members said their bottom line could be directly affected by the higher tariffs enacted today, especially Canadian tariffs. Potash, a key ingredient in fertilizer, is nearly exclusively imported to New York from Canada, for example. They also said that by potentially preventing the export of certain goods like apples from Washington State, those apples could then be resold at an artificially low price in New York, thereby further cutting into farmers’ profit margins.

Key issues at stake

Participants in the roundtable discussed several key issues affecting New York agriculture, including:

1. Support of state budget items including critical funding for agricultural animal health promotion, research and environmental programs; improved safety measures; and commodity promotion and research.
2. Support of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard bill (S.1343/A.472) – if passed, the increased use of anerobic digesters can create more biofuels to replace the use of diesel fuel.
3. Opposition of the TEMP Act, which would set impractical standards for regulating temperature at indoor and outdoor worksites.
4. Support of a CDL bill granting farm owners and employees an exemption from CDL requirements when hauling farm equipment or produce within 150 miles of their farm.
5. Making sure the next generation of farmers has the support they need by extending and increasing the Farm Workforce Retention Tax Credit.

Taste of New York Reception attracts hundreds

Last night, in advance of today’s Lobby Day, New York Farm Bureau held its annual Taste of New York reception at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. More than 80 NYFB members and partners presented samples of their produce, special recipes, craft beverages and other agricultural products to a crowd of hundreds, including members of the New York State Senate and Assembly. The evening featured tables laden with oysters from Long Island, wines from the Finger Lakes, liquor and beer, ice cream, maple products, honey, micro greens, beef jerky and many more delicacies.

“The Taste of New York Reception has grown into a truly special event. Several legislators commented that it’s their favorite event of the year,” said NYFB Director of Communications Amanda Powers. “It’s a perfect way to highlight the rich, diverse agricultural market in New York.”

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New York Farm Bureau is the state’s largest general agricultural advocacy organization. Its members and the public know the organization as “The Voice of New York Agriculture.” New York Farm Bureau is dedicated to solving the economic and public policy issues challenging the agricultural community.