Finger Lakes Today

Senator Helming highlighted the crucial role of family farms in the economy, stating, "Farming is as vital to our economy as food is to our families. One does not exist without the other." She emphasized the significance of supporting family farms, noting, "The recently-released USDA Census of Agriculture is a reminder of the importance of supporting our family farms and ensuring their success."

The Senator also addressed the challenges faced by farmers, pointing out that New York State has lost nearly 2,800 farms and 364,000 acres of farmland since the last Agricultural Census in 2017. She expressed her opposition to policies that hinder farmers, saying, "Over the past several years, I have opposed policies in our state that have made it increasingly difficult for farmers to operate."

Acknowledging the dedication and hard work of farmers, Senator Helming stated, "Our farmers are the hardest-working people I know and the challenges they face are mounting, from burdensome state mandates and regulations to higher production, labor, fuel, and feed costs." She reassured her commitment to advocating for farmers in the 54th District, vowing to "continue to advocate for the support our farmers deserve, and against policies that make it harder for them to do business in New York."

In conclusion, Senator Helming called on the community to appreciate and thank farmers for their contributions, saying, "Please join me in thanking our farmers for providing the food that sustains our families and the economic investment that sustains our communities."