Albany, NY – Today, as a Member of the Agriculture Committee, Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon

(D-119) participated in the New York State Assembly Agriculture Committee Joint Budget Hearing. The day’s hearing brought together lawmakers to hear testimony from state officials, organizational leadership, and farmers across the state to examine the proposed $378 million budget from Governor Kathy Hochul, its proposed agricultural investments, and their impact on farm viability.

“Agriculture is a backbone of the economy in the Mohawk Valley,” said Buttenschon. “Today’s hearing is about building common understanding, ensuring rural voices are heard, and that state funding translates into meaningful support for our local farmers.”

The Governor’s Executive Budget has proposed nearly $378 million for the Department of Agriculture and Markets, featuring several significant investments to support the continued competitiveness and viability of farms across the state: $30 million Tariff Relief Program to provide direct payments to crop growers, livestock producers, and dairy farmers experiencing on-going tariff related market disruptions; an extension of the 20% refundable investment tax credit through 2033 to support continued investment in farm infrastructure; $5 million in Dairy Farm Modernization Grant funding to aid investment, efficiency, safety, and capacity expansion initiatives; $10 million for the Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program to continue to encourage the use of fresh locally sourced products in school meals, and open new market opportunities; $5 million in capital funding for county fairs and an additional $500,000 in marketing funds to support agricultural education and workforce development; $11.3 million for Agri-Business Child Development Centers, plus $3.2 million for capital investments, to address the childcare needs of the agricultural workforce.

Throughout the day, the Assemblywoman addressed the importance of funding and supporting small local farmers across the state, focusing on concerns she has frequently heard from farmers throughout Oneida County, such as grant access, workforce housing shortages, and the disbursement nature of agriculture-focused Environmental Protection Funds.

“I appreciate the initiatives set forth by the Governor, yet at the same time, we must ensure agriculture-specific conservation lines within the Environmental Protection Fund receive adequate resources, and that these resources are allocated directly to our farmers so they can continue to provide practical solutions.”

Engaging with testifiers, Assemblywoman Buttenschon then turned to the topic of agricultural workforce housing shortages, an issue familiar to Buttenschon as prime sponsor of Assembly bill (A.0297/S.0023), which aims to expand tax credits for farmers to include coverage for workforce housing construction related expenses.

“As seen in so many other industries, providing an adequate supply of workforce housing for farmworkers remains a persistent issue, and it is infeasible to expect our farmers to foot the entirety of the bill. That is why I have partnered with my Senate colleague Senator Tedisco, to enable growth through expanded eligibility under existing tax credits to include coverage for construction of workforce housing initiatives on farms throughout the state.”

The Assemblywoman concluded the day’s hearing by offering her sincere gratitude for the continued dedication, perseverance, and handwork of our state’s farming communities, who not only feed our families, but continue to lead innovative and common-sense industry based solutions.

“To the many local farms and farmworkers who strive day-in and day-out to feed our families, I am grateful, and I remain committed to your advocacy, ensuring your voices are heard in Albany, and that we deliver meaningful, sustainable, and tangible solutions for the Mohawk Valley’s agricultural community.”