New York State Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Patty Ritchie is holding Agricultural Business Forums in three cities, including Watertown, over the next few weeks.

Ritchie says she to hear from farmers and agribusiness leaders on ways to strengthen agriculture, New York’s leading industry.

Ritchie also announced creation of a webform on her website, www.ritchie.nysenate.gov, for farmers and those interested in agriculture issues to share their ideas for boosting farming and helping to create jobs.

The first forum is set for Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 1 p.m., at the Dulles State Office building, 317 Washington St., Watertown, and will feature representatives of the state and local Farm Bureaus, specialists from Cornell University, winery owners, vegetable producers, ag educators and business experts.

“As chair of the Senate’s Agriculture Committee, I want to hear from family farmers and agricultural business leaders about ways the state can help grow their business, and strengthen agriculture,” Ritchie said. “We’ve made strides in cutting red tape and lowering costs for farmers, but we need to do more to make government a true partner in helping to create jobs and help support our number one industry.”

Ritchie, a Republican from Heuvelton, represents the Senate’s 48th District, which comprises Oswego and Jefferson counties and roughly the western third of St. Lawrence County.

Other such forums will be held in October in Geneseo and Riverhead.

To submit testimony, preregister, or get more information, contact the Senate Agriculture Committee at (518) 455-3438.