Sen. Patty Ritchie, who chairs the state agricultural committee, has released a report outlining the committee’s accomplishments.

In total, the committee reported 30 bills, five of which were signed into law and eight that are awaiting action by Gov. Cuomo.

Richie said highlights of the committee's work include the approval of a two percent cap on annual increases in agricultural land assessments and adoption of a budget that significantly increased funding for key agricultural programs.

“Agriculture is our state’s biggest industry, and as chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, it’s a priority for me to help support our hardworking farmers in an effort to help the industry grow,” Ritchie said.

The report was released at a recent meeting of Ritchie’s Agriculture Advisory Council. The group, which was formed in 2011, comprises leaders in the industry from Central and Northern New York who are tasked with identifying challenges and opportunities for growth in the agriculture industry, which can be passed onto the Senate Agriculture Committee.

“This report details the hard work done by the Committee in 2013 and I would like to thank my colleagues, as well as the hardworking members of the agriculture industry whose input allowed us to take significant steps to foster further growth of this vital industry,” she said.

Sen. Ritchie represents portions of St. Lawrence County along the river, said she wants more details regarding the facility's future and a clearer understanding of what impact the proposed changes will have on the North Country.

A copy of the annual report of the New York State Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture can be viewed on Senator Ritchie’s website, www.ritchie.nysenate.gov.