“It’s important that we give farmers, agribusiness and stakeholders throughout the agriculture industry a seat at the table in New York State government,” said Sen. Aubertine, chair of the Agriculture Committee and the only active farmer in the New York State Legislature. “Agriculture is New York’s number one industry and must be included in our discussions about rebuilding New York’s economy. Whether milking cows, muck farming or harvesting corn, the fact is that farms of all kinds generate wealth and support hundreds of thousands of jobs across New York State.”

The meeting is part of a series of roundtables and agricultural tours the Senator has conducted or taken part in across the state in Eden Valley, Jamestown, Long Island, Morrisville, Ithaca, Warsaw, Copenhagen, Liverpool and Lowville. After the Granby roundtable, the Senator will conduct a public hearing on Nov. 19 at Jefferson Community College in Watertown and two more roundtables on Nov. 17 in Cobleskill and Nov. 23 in Waddington. The Senator has been working with the New York Farm Bureau, Cornell Cooperative Extension and local farmers to organize and attend these meetings.

The Agriculture Committee chair has been soliciting input on agriculture issues ranging from the dairy crisis and the Farm Workers Fair Labor Practices Act, to energy issues and reform of mandates and regulations imposed on farmers.  Farmers have also expressed their concerns about a lack of quality country of origin labeling for produce, the need to better educate consumers on the benefits of local, fresh produce, the impact of milk protein concentrates on the price of domestic milk, fuel surcharges, stop and hauling charges, the need for federal action to correct the current milk pricing system, and putting more local produce in schools and New York’s urban markets.

WHO: State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, farmers, agribusiness representatives

WHAT: Roundtable discussion of issues facing agriculture, New York’s number one industry

WHERE: Granby Community Center, 812 County Route 8, Granby in Oswego County

WHEN: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, November 12