Assembly Resolution No. 427

BY: M. of A. Tague

COMMENDING Bindi and her owner Sonja Galley, upon
the occasion of being named the 2021 Farm Bureau
Farm Dog of the Year

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, Farmers boost our local economies by spending locally,
attracting tourism, and keeping money in our communities; and

WHEREAS, Agriculture is at the intersection of food, family, health,
community, environment, nature, science, homeland security, economic
concerns, and other significant things we care about; and

WHEREAS, The vast majority of farms and ranches in the United
States, and especially in New York State, are family owned and operated
and have deep historical roots in their communities; and

WHEREAS, Farm dogs, such as Bindi, are essential to the success of
these farms; hardworking farm and ranch dogs play a substantial role in
helping farmers and ranchers produce our sustainable food supply; from
rounding up livestock to chasing off predators, a farm dog's work is
never done; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Bindi and her owner Sonja Galley, upon the occasion of being
named the 2021 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Recognizing that work on the family farm takes everyone
pitching in and doing their part, including four-legged friends, the
American Farm Bureau Federation, along with support from Nestle Purina
PetCare, launched the Farm Dog of the Year contest three years ago; and

WHEREAS, Bindi is a five-year-old Australian shepherd who has been a
part of Sonja Galley's family since she was a puppy; she is especially
good at working in tight spaces to help move animals around the farm,
and stays calm even when the calves kick up their heels at her; and

WHEREAS, Bindi is also very protective, and once pushed back a
heifer that had pinned Sonja Galley in the corner of a pen; much like
their non-farming counterparts, farmers often benefit from a strong
emotional connection with their dogs; and

WHEREAS, Bindi and her family won $5,000 in prize money, a trophy
plate, a year's supply of dog food and other Purina products; and

WHEREAS, The Farm Dog of the Year contest embodies the belief that
people and pets are better together; farmers do important work to
steward their land and help feed generations of people and pets, with
the help of their amazing dogs who help enrich lives on and off the
farm; now, therefore, be it


RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Bindi and her owner Sonja Galley, upon the occasion of being
named the 2021 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted
to Sonja Galley, owner of Bindi.