NEDPA Chair John Dickinson statement following Gov. Hochul’s State of the State

Statement released from Northeast Dairy Producers Association Chair John Dickinson following Governor Hochul’s State of the State

“The Governor’s proposals to increase our food manufacturing capabilities, address the farm labor shortage, and expand support for dairy farms as they continue working toward the industry’s 2050 net zero emissions goal, are all steps in the right direction and will support the future of farming in the Empire State,” stated Northeast Dairy Producers Association (NEDPA) Chair John Dickinson.

“Investments are also needed to support critical programs at Cornell CALS and the New York Center for Agriculture Medicine and Health, including ag workforce development, climate leadership, on-farm safety, and ongoing R&D that informs environmental stewardship efforts and best practices on the farm.

However, New York’s local food supply remains dependent on the viability of our family farms, and proposals to increase the minimum wage could make razor-thin margins and the economics of farming that much more challenging.

NEDPA looks forward to serving on the Governor’s Strategic Interagency Task Force Lessening Obstacles to Agriculture Working Group, and collaborating with our partners in elected office and academia to continue investing in science-based policies that ensure an economically viable and sustainable future for family farms in New York State.”