Issues: Organic Farming

ALBANY, NEW YORK – On Monday night, the New York State Senate passed legislation to combat childhood obesity by implementing a wide array of initiatives. These initiatives include: expanding community gardens where fresh produce is grown, kick-starting new obesity programs that encourage schoolchildren to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, and launching new services through Cornell University that provide obesity and respiratory disease prevention programs in high risk areas. Additionally, New York State will establish direct marketing campaigns aimed at encouraging children in high-risk neighborhoods to consume healthy foods.

State Senator Patty Ritchie joined with members of her Agricultural Advisory Council in Watertown this week to explore energy savings that would benefit the farming community.

Featured at the Thursday meeting was a presentation by National Grid, where a representative from the utility outlined ways farmers can save on energy bills.

“Electricity costs for farmers—especially dairy farmers—are very high,” said Senator Ritchie.

“That’s why it’s so important to find ways to cut energy bills so our hardworking farmers can boost their bottom lines, run successful operations, and create jobs.”

Discusses New “Grown in New York” Plan, Other Initiatives to Help Farmers

 Members of State Senator Patty Ritchie’s Agricultural Advisory Council met today in Ogdensburg to discuss the accomplishments of the past year and new initiatives to help farmers, including the Senator’s new “Grown in NY” plan.

“Our farmers are the backbone of New York State’s economy, and it’s so important that we give them the tools they need to create jobs and expand their industry ” Senator Ritchie said. 

“My advisory council has the firsthand knowledge  and insight as to how we can help support agriculture.  This group is—and will be crucial—to helping the Senate Agriculture Committee continue its commitment to helping our farmers.”

 (Albany) - Growing the state’s agriculture industry and helping New York’s family farms prosper is the goal of the “Grown in New York” plan, unveiled by Senator Joseph A. Griffo (R-C-IP, Rome) and Senate Republicans to strengthen the state’s $5.2 billion agriculture industry by expanding markets for New York-grown products, improving the bottom lines of family farms, and investing in the future of farming.

Growing the state’s agriculture industry and helping New York’s family farms prosper is the goal of the “Grown in New York” plan, unveiled today by Senator Patty Ritchie, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Senator Ritchie was joined at a Capitol news conference by other members of the committee, as well as leaders of the New York Farm Bureau to announce a plan to strengthen the state’s $5.2 billion agriculture industry by expanding markets for New York-grown products, improving the bottom lines of family farms, and investing in the future of farming.

“Agriculture is New York’s leading industry, and Senate Republicans have been at the forefront of efforts to bolster agriculture and help farmers grow,” Senator Ritchie (R-C, Heuvelton) said. “Over the past two years, we have worked to restore budget cuts to vital marketing, research, and educational programs farmers depend on to strengthen their bottom line. ‘Grown in New York’ is the Senate Republican plan to build on that success and help farmers grow and build for the future.”

WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE BY CLICKING HERE.

Legislation sponsored by State Senator David J. Valesky (D-Oneida) that will build upon a statewide burgeoning “Buy Local” movement by creating a program to recognize restaurants that feature local products passed the Senate Agriculture Committee today. 

Also Lands Spots on Committees Key to Central and Northern New York Communities

State Senator Patty Ritchie has announced she has been renamed Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and was also named to serve on several committees with direct oversight of issues that are key to the regions she represents.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo unveiled the proposed 2013-14Executive Budget and Management Plan that builds on two years of balanced, fiscally responsible budgeting and invests in economic development, education reform, rebuilding after Superstorm Sandy, provides support to local governments and school districts, and includes no new taxes or fees.

Highlights of the Executive Budget:

· Eliminates $1.3 billion budget gap with no new taxes or fees. The expected gap for 2013-14 was projected to be $17.4 billion prior to the last two responsible budgets.

· Holds spending increases below 2 percent for third consecutive year.

State Senator Patty Ritchie recently helped Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County celebrate its centennial anniversary at an event held at the organization's Watertown office.