The USDA Agricultural Census is reporting a loss of 9 percent of New York’s farms in five years. Dairy farms were hit hardest with losses of nearly 1,900 dairy farms. New York State lost some 364,000 acres of farmland in the past five years.
While some may say (looking at you, Cornell) that this was merely a progression, a natural progression to larger farms with technological improvements. But, to this attorney and farmer, the steady losses were a result of chosen state and federal policies. New York farms of all sizes have much to offer: rainfed lands, bountiful grasslands, and proximity to one of the world’s best dairy markets: The Northeast Corridor.
A few years ago, I attended the Southern Tier Economic Development conference where an economist spoke about the impact of each dairy cow to the local economy. It was not a small contribution. Each cow relies on a range of support services and vendors including hardware stores, feed mills, veterinarians, hoof trimmers, milking supply dealers. One local welding supplier told me that when there were scores of local farms in the Herkimer area, he maintained a truck to supply farms with welding supplies. With the disappearance of these farms, that route and driver’s job is gone. And, it seemed that some of the massive farms don’t rely on local as much as the little guys did.
Back in the day, then Secretary of Agriculture, Robert Bergland warned of the losses of farms ahead. His predictions have come to pass. As a person, Secretary Bergland, seemed to have his heart with the average farmers. I remember back to an evening meeting between farmers and Bergland where he sat and listened to ordinary people. His sense of humor was not lost when I and another farm woman chased him down the hall to ask him for specifics on dairy. I also remember Commissioner McGuire and Commissioner Gerace, New York State ag commissioners who took the time to meet and greet the regular farmers at various functions. These days, I am more skeptical about ag officials who no longer meet and talk with people at the grass roots level. Or, meetings are for the chosen few without much preliminary notice that the ag officials will be out and about to meet with farmers and agribusiness. A few weeks ago, I attended an Albany conference where Governor Hochul’s “Senior Ag Policy Analyst” literally shot out the door, running down the side aisle to exit a function after she spoke to Northeast agribusiness reps. Hopefully, this will not be the norm for the future. Or, will it?
Anyone with info on the contribution of each cow to local ag economies, please share below. Or, any other commentary welcome. Thanks! Lorraine
Congratulations on starting your new blog. I have no info on the contribution of each individual cow to local ag economies. I do believe our communities were much stronger when we had many more farms. I don’t believe that more government intervention will help solve our challenges.
I grew up on a dairy farm and have been blessed to work for 30 plus years, as a crop advisor and CAFO planner with hardworking farmers; folks that I admire and respect, and who generally see the world in the same way I do. This administration is not interested in the experience, knowledge and wisdom you or I or those farmers have gained over the years. They think that Farm Bureau, NEDPA, Cornell and NYSAWG speak for us all.
This is a relatively new thing. Policy makers, bureaucrats and Cornell were more interested in my opinion 20-30 years ago when I had very little experience.
Am I surprised that a “Senior Ag Policy Analyst” shot out the door? A little bit. They usually like to at least pretend that they are there to listen… like the Farm Labor Wage Board hearings and the Climate Scoping Plan. Even though they had no intention on considering any changes to their plans, they followed a process. I guess that charade made it seem more legitimate in their eyes. But, it will be ok if they no longer hold these hearings and comment periods; at least we won’t be wasting our time and maybe do something productive.
This is what the managerial, bureaucratic state has led to.