Senate Resolution No. 2977

BY: Senator METZGER

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
March 24, 2020, as Agriculture Day in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, Hardworking American farmers provide New York State, the
Nation, and much of the world with a safe, healthy, affordable, and
abundant food supply; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 24, 2020, as Agriculture Day
in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National
Agriculture Day; and

WHEREAS, Through this year's theme, "Food Brings Everyone to the
Table," Agriculture Day recognizes and celebrates the abundance provided
by agriculture; every year, producers, farm workers, agricultural
associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and
countless others across America join together to recognize the
contributions of agriculture; and

WHEREAS, Each American farmer feeds more than 165 people, a dramatic
increase from 25 people in the 1960s; quite simply, American agriculture
is doing more, and doing it better; as the world population soars, there
is an even greater demand for the food and fiber produced in the United
States; and

WHEREAS, Agriculture provides almost everything we eat, use and wear
on a daily basis, however, too few people truly understand this
contribution; this is particularly the case in our schools, where
students may not know where their food comes from and may only be
exposed to agriculture if there is a local FFA chapter in their school
or if they enroll in agriculture-related vocational training; and

WHEREAS, By building awareness, the Agriculture Council of America,
the New York State Agricultural Society, the New York State Department
of Agriculture and Markets, and numerous support organizations in New
York State are encouraging young people to consider career opportunities
in agriculture; and

WHEREAS, There are over 33,000 farms on 7 million acres in New York
State growing crops and raising livestock generating $5.7 billion in
gross income according to USDA's 2017 Ag Census; and

WHEREAS, Ninety-eight percent of New York farms are family-owned and
operated with women representing 37 percent, a growing share of farm
producers; and

WHEREAS, New York farmers provide environmental stewardship, protect
open space, and help preserve irreplaceable agricultural soils; and

WHEREAS, New York State farms are robust producers, ranking third
nationally for milk sales, second in the United States in apple and
maple syrup production, and third in both wine and grapes; and


WHEREAS, The celebration of National Agriculture Day is in
recognition of all the farmers who feed us and our families every day
and of the importance of agriculture as a vital industry and economic
driver in New York State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 24, 2020, as
Agriculture Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Agriculture Day, honoring and recognizing the
important contributions of all branches of farming to the health,
economic well-being, environment, beauty, and future of New York State;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.