Senator Hinchey chairs the Agriculture Committee and much of the discussion revolved around natural resources, since the top requested priority for our group at this meeting was “climate, climate, climate”. She stated that there are 1,000 farms in her district that are in need of support. The conversation continued regarding climate versus an impending food crisis in that we still import food that is widely available in New York State.

Transportation and distribution of products in and out of state pushes up prices for consumers as well as adds to farmers’ cost of doing business. The committee is looking into ways to discourage this practice as well as supporting the financial health of farmers. Since many farmers aren’t making a living, many are abandoning their farms and/or selling out to corporations and industrial farming companies. The lack of revenue makes it unattractive for succeeding generations to inherit and work and so, as farmers age out, so go many smaller farms.

 Conversation continued with the use of agrivoltaics (placing solar panels, wind turbines/renewables on farmland). Some solar companies are placing panels on farmland in a way that the soil underneath cannot be farmed, which is contrary to the purpose of the policy. Livestock grazing, beehives, grapevines, and even crops may be placed underneath panels if they are placed appropriately for farming machinery, etc.. Senator Hinchey stated that agrivoltaics should not be placed in a way that impinges on farming in prime soils anywhere in the state. She further stated that there appears to be no state map that shows where these prime soils are located and that ORES (Office of Renewable Energy Siting) will require one as a basic foundation to their work. What they have now does not include farms, which makes it insufficient to its task.

I could go on an on, but will just hit some of the discussion highlights here:

• Many NYS Legislators understand that due to wildfires and drought in the Midwest (expected to worsen in coming years) may make NYS part of the new ‘breadbasket’ of the US and are working toward sustaining and supporting farmers in every way possible to support and ease such a transition.
• Senator Hinchey supports the Extended Producer Responsibility bill, though she needs to consider very seriously its effect on the agricultural impacts to farmers.
• Regarding NYS Soil Health Laws—$500k has been included in the budget this year to be given directly to farmers to support a responsible and thriving agri-forestry industry.
• Farmers need to make a living in order to continue to exist. One way the Legislature is working toward that goal is to advocate for whole milk to be required for school lunches. In the past, whole milk was seen as a fat and calorie-rich addition to children’s lunch based on erroneous information but whole milk has been supplanted by sugar-laden teas and other drinks. This problem must be solved by Congress via changes to the federal Farm Bill. If whole milk is again included, it would be a boon to dairy farmers in the state.

• A NYS bill was recently passed in order to cover any and all additional costs to schools in NYS not paid by the Farm Bill so that every student can have access to free meals at school.
• Senator Hinchey encourages all citizens to choose locally grown and produced grocery items whenever a choice is possible to keep our economy strong, supportive and sustainable.

On other topics:

• Senator Hinchey also has water infrastructure on her list of current important concerns.
• The Senator supports Medical Aid in Dying. It seems as though passage has been stymied by a group that does many other amazing things, but their beliefs don’t allow for support of this bill.
• Senator Hinchey also supports changes to support the current and growing crisis in home health care, particularly in rural areas. She told a personal story of the need for end-of-life home care for her father, former Assembly Member and US Congressman Maurice Hinchey. They had to sell off land in order to pay for it and worries about the many residents without financial resources or land to sell in order to support loved ones on their final journey.
• There is now $25m available for firehouse improvements and applications are now being taken. It is hoped that this money will go to the fire companies most in need and not to stable and functional organizations. While it might a sufficient amount, there is a great concern, especially for rural small towns and communities, and this won’t go far enough. More will be needed.
• Kathy OConnor took a moment to thank Senator Hinchey for her work in supporting and updating the Tivoli Firehouse, which was badly in need.