Governor Hochul Announces Initiatives to Strengthen and Promote New York’s Agricultural Industry

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced several major proposals to provide a boost to New York’s agricultural industry as part of the 2025 State of the State. The Governor unveiled plans of cross-cutting initiatives that will support farmers, strengthen the industry, and promote a more resilient future for New Yorkers.

“New York’s agricultural industry is the backbone of our economy, and we will continue to invest in our farmers, our youth, and our future to make sure that New York remains a vibrant and competitive force in agriculture for generations to come,” Governor Hochul said. “From supporting our dairy and maple producers to strengthening local food systems and expanding agricultural education in our schools, these initiatives will position New York as a leader in innovation, resilience, and opportunity.”

Recognizing agriculture as a cornerstone of New York’s economy, Governor Hochul has made record investments to support the state’s agricultural community. Governor Hochul will continue to build on this progress with innovative solutions and targeted investments to strengthen key industries, support small businesses, enhance sustainability, and create economic opportunities across the state.

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “New York’s farmers feed our families, drive our economies, and safeguard our natural landscapes. Put simply, an investment in agriculture is an investment in our way of life. I thank Governor Hochul for her bold plan to continue moving New York agriculture forward with innovative strategies in key areas that will further our workforce development and ag education goals, strengthen our food system and sustainability efforts, and invest in critical infrastructure, marketing, and research to grow the industry. Our agricultural community has come so far over years of hard work, and I look forward to seeing it continue to accelerate and transform as we implement the Governor’s plans for the upcoming year.”

Advance the Sustainability of New York’s Dairy Industry

New York is the fifth largest milk-producing state in the nation, with dairy farming accounting for half of New York’s agricultural economy. Building on last year’s $82 million investment in agricultural stewardship programs, Governor Hochul is proposing additional funding to research and implement climate-resilient practices on dairy farms.

Enhancing Local Food Supply Chains

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed weaknesses in supply chains, disrupting food access, and highlighting the need to strengthen New York's local food system. Building on New York’s work to bolster the supply chain and food processing capacity in recent years, Governor Hochul will establish the Food and Fiber Small-Scale Processing Grant Program to further fuel the supply of diverse products for New York’s many local purchasing programs. In addition, Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program benefits will be maintained, and Governor Hochul will expand New York’s supply of nutritious, locally grown seafood.

Expand Affordable Farmworker Housing

Safe and affordable housing for farmworkers is essential to maintaining a robust and sustainable agricultural industry. To help farmers address aging infrastructure and updated housing standards, the Governor will increase funding for the Farmworker Housing Program funding to help farms provide safer, healthier housing for their workforce while continuing to meet their production goals.

Positioning New York as a Regional Leader in Fiber Production

As the national fiber supply chain has consolidated in other portions of the United States, northeastern farmers have faced barriers to processing and marketing their wool and other natural fibers affordably. To mitigate these challenges in New York and connect the State’ producers to new buyers, including New York’s fashion industry, Governor Hochul will make key investments that will position New York as a leader in fiber production. This includes determining the best location and most sustainable operating model for a New York fiber sorting and aggregation center.

Launching a Maple Industry Growth Strategy

Home to the largest source of tappable maple trees in the nation, New York ranks second in national syrup production and is home to over 2,000 sugar makers. Last year, Governor Hochul signed three bills at the Great New York State Fair to strengthen New York's agricultural industry, including a new law that allows state land to be leased for sap production. The Governor will further expand the State’s support of New York’s maple industry through investments in marketing and research, helping New York to become the leading maple innovator.

Protecting New York Farmland

The 2022 Census of Agriculture outlined a concerning trend in U.S. agriculture: fewer farms, reduced farmland, and larger average farm sizes. New York is also experiencing these challenges. While the state achieved an impressive milestone of over 100,000 acres of protected farmland in 2023, a significant amount of New York’s farmland remains unprotected.

To support New York's agricultural sector for future generations, Governor Hochul will make investments to improve tracking of lost farmland, and increase capacity within New York’s network of community-led land trusts.

Expanding Agriculture Education in the New York Schools

Introducing young people to the importance of local agriculture and the food system early on is critical to developing a pipeline of future agricultural leaders. New York State has more than 400 agricultural teachers across New York. The State is adding MANRRS chapters across the State, including the first junior chapter at John Bowne High School in Queens, and it has nearly 200,000 4-H students in every corner of the State. New York FFA is growing faster than any other state and is currently celebrating its 100-year anniversary.

To build on these successes and further access to agricultural education, Governor Hochul will support the integration of agriculture education into the public-school curriculum, ensuring students gain valuable knowledge and hands-on experience. New funding for the successful New York Agriculture in the Classroom program will ensure educators have the resources and assistance they need for successful implementation.

Facilitating Advanced Injury Detection for Thoroughbred Racing

New York’s equine industry has an estimated impact of $7 billion on New York’s economy and supports a total of 52,300 jobs. The Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing industries are a significant part of this sector.

To help ensure the health and safety of the State’s horses in Thoroughbred racing, New York State will invest in advanced medical imaging and screening protocols that will facilitate advanced injury detection for Thoroughbred racing.