NY to promote its farming heritage

Wednesday, Oct. 7, is New York Farm Day in the U.S. Senate where New York’s status as a major farm state and agriculture’s role in its economy will be spotlighted for key Congressional lawmakers.

The event will be hosted by Sen. Kirstin Gillibrand, who is the first senator from New York in 40 years to serve on the Agriculture Committee.

Farm Day aims to promote New York agriculture by giving them a taste of it and by urging them to keep the state in mind when making policy decisions.

According to state and federal agriculture data, New York ranks second in the nation in apple and maple syrup production; third in dairy, grapes, grape juice and wine; fourth in pears; fifth in floriculture; and near the top in several other categories.

Nearly a quarter of the state’s total land, or more than 7 million acres, are covered by 36,000 farms which generate $3.6 billion for New York’s annual economy.

The New York Farm Day reception is set up by wine region. The Niagara and Lake Erie grape-growing and wine-making regions will be represented by National Grape Cooperative/Welch’s sparkling red and white grape juice and black cherry Concord grape juice.

Lake Erie and Niagara Escarpment wines will be represented by Johnson Estate Winery, Westfield; Mazza Chautauqua Cellars, Mayville; Merritt Estate Winery, Forestville; Niagara Landing Wine Cellars, Cambria; and The Winery at Marjim Manor, Appleton.