By Blake Jackson
New York farmers and agricultural leaders met with state lawmakers to discuss the growing financial and workforce pressures affecting the state’s agriculture industry.
Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C, Elma) and Senator George Borrello, ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, hosted a roundtable at Hidden Valley Lodge. The meeting, hosted by Hans Boxler of Boxler Farms, brought together about 40 farmers and agricultural representatives from Wyoming, Genesee and Erie counties.
The discussion focused largely on the increasing cost of operating farms and the challenges producers face in maintaining a viable workforce. Farmers pointed to sharply higher utility expenses, rising diesel prices and New York’s high labor costs as significant financial burdens.
Participants also discussed difficulties obtaining adequate electrical service when attempting to expand or improve farm operations.
“The agriculture industry is critical to our state and our region, directly and in-directly employing thousands of residents. As we prepare for a new legislative session, it is essential we hear from farmers and others in the agriculture industry about the challenges they face, from the rising cost of doing business to the burdensome regulations that threaten the future of farming in New York," said Senator Gallivan.
"I am grateful for their input, and I look forward to working with Senator Borrello and our colleagues in the Senate to improve the business climate for farmers across the state.”
Borrello emphasized that agriculture remains an important part of Western New York’s economy and way of life, despite the difficult financial conditions facing producers.
“Agriculture is one of New York’s most important industries and an essential part of the economy and way of life here in Western New York,” said Senator Borrello. “Yet even in the best of times, farming is a difficult business with tight margins and circumstances that are often beyond a producer’s control. What we heard today reinforced just how many pressures are converging on our farmers at once.”
The concerns come as New York continues to lose farms and farmland. According to the State Comptroller, the state lost 500 farms and 100,000 acres of farmland between 2024 and 2025. Participants also noted previous census data showing an 8% decline in total farms and a 40% decrease in dairy farms from 2017 to 2022.
“The only way for policymakers to understand the challenges of dairy farming and the volatile markets we are dealing with, especially right now, is to see first-hand the work taking place on our family farms and to have open dialogue,” said Northeast Dairy Producers Association (NEDPA) Chair and dairy farmer A.J. Wormuth.
“I commend the senators and their colleagues across the state for continuing to seek out farmers to better understand the detrimental impacts rising utility, labor, diesel and other input costs have on family farms. We simply cannot rely on importing food and through conversations like these, we’re able to work toward solutions that strengthen our local food supply, support the sustainability of farms, and ensure a future for the next generation of farmers.”
Photo Credit: the-new-york-state-senate
Categories: New York, Government & Policy