Senator Seward Meets With Local Farm Bureau Chapters

Sen. Jim Seward met this week with local producers and advocates for farming during the New York Farm Bureau’s “Taste of New York” legislative reception and annual lobby day in Albany.

“Agriculture is our state’s number one industry and I always stand ready to work with our New York Farm Bureau members to ensure farming will continue to be a viable business,” said Senator Seward.  “Along with sampling the many foods and beverages that are produced in our state, the annual lobby days are a great opportunity to learn from farmers and producers about their changing needs and how best the state can respond to help them succeed.”

Senator Seward has consistently supported initiatives and programs to assist New York’s farmers.   Currently, he is working to restore funding that the governor cut from his state budget proposal that supports a number of vital agriculture programs.

“Farmers deal with countless challenges every day.  Anything to ease their financial burden, increase productivity, open markets for their products, and help get new farmers off the ground has my strong support.  New York also needs to take steps to reduce unnecessary regulations and costs that hold back our farmers and agri-businesses,” Seward added.

Senator Seward is a regular recipient of the “Circle of Friends” award from the New York State Farm Bureau for his work on agricultural legislation and issues.  Senator Seward was also recently named an Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America (ASHCA) national award winner for his long-standing support of the New York Rollover Protection System (ROPS) Rebate Program.