In her 2024 State of the State speech, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed subsidizing dairy farmers and establishing a “one-stop shop” for the agricultural workers.
“New York’s agriculture industry is a key part of our economy, communities, and way of life,” Hochul stated. My experience as the first upstate New York governor in almost a century has shown me how important this industry is. I support agriculture and food production and concentrate on legislation and investments that help farmers.”
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball said farmers and the agriculture community need help.
“As we move into the new year, we have truly doubled down on our work on filling the gaps in our food system, protecting the natural resources we depend on, and developing a strong generation of future leaders,” Ball added.
New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher said they would work with Hochul and the Legislature to strengthen agriculture and family farms.
“In her State of the State, the governor promises to fight for farmers, especially amid climate and labor issues. Fisher said, “We appreciate the recognition as these issues weigh heavily on New York agriculture.”
He stated her executive budget plan would clarify her support for these programs.
“We are hopeful that she will continue to fully fund much needed programs that support environmental conservation, research, agricultural promotion, and food access programs like Nourish NY and Health School Meals for All,” Fisher added.
Hochul wants $34 million over two years for on-farm fluid milk storage technologies and processing infrastructure to reduce transportation during pandemics and winter storms in Western New York.
On-farm fluid milk storage will enhance capacity but not milk storage duration, according to Cortland dairy farmer Mike McMahon.
He claimed milk is so perishable that without rigorous mitigations like aspectic milk or pasteurization, it’s only good for a few of days before germs start developing.
Just one farm would need millions to adopt the technology to process milk for more than a few days, McMahon said.
Hochul also suggested $21 million for an Alternative Waste Management and Enhanced Precision Feed Program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, absorb carbon, and help farmers scale.
McMahon, whose farm EZ Acres was a Cornell University case study, said, “I’m a huge believe in [precision feed management] and I think that’s money well spent as far as other nutrient management practices that may be enhanced by that there’s a lot of technology out there but there never seems to be enough money, so I certainly applaud her
On his farm, McMahon uses precision feeding.
“You’re much more precisely feeding the cow to sustain her body and produce milk without giving her excess protein and things like that, which will produce greenhouse gases,” he added.
Hochul suggested a new program to help New York’s agricultural workforce, which has witnessed several changes, including lowering farmworker overtime.
In conjunction with Cornell University’s Agricultural Workforce Development Program, the state would provide office hours, webinars, a FAQs section, a web portal to submit queries, and a farmworker and farmer hotline.
The Labor Department, New York State Public Employee Relations Board, and Agriculture and Markets would support it.
Hochul wants a “one health approach” to enhance illness detection and prevention, food safety education, and veterinarian care optimization to protect people, animals, and the environment.
These initiatives include increased engagement with New York’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Advisory Board, a new program to prevent improper use of xylazine, reimbursement and fee changes for on-farm animal health testing programs, and a new program.
The group has been asking for a $1 million budget boost for the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health for months. Hochul requested this.
