Agriculture leaders spoke about how New York State can support the growth of its leading industry at a public hearing hosted Tuesday by state Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Sen. Patty Ritchie (R-Heuvelton).

Ritchie heard testimony from key stakeholders from nearly two dozen agricultural organizations and businesses. The committee will use the information to promote new policies, initiatives and funding to help growers and producers across the state.

“Agriculture is New York State’s leading industry, and if we want it to remain as such, we need to make sure we are tapping into the insights and ideas that those on the front line have for helping it to grow,” said Ritchie.

Representatives of key groups such as the New York Farm Bureau, Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, FFA, NY Maple Producers, Cornell Center for Dairy Excellence, the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County and the New York Farm Viability Institute laid out challenges faced by those in the industry and ideas for supporting its future success. Several of the issues presented were low milk prices, adapting to changing weather, and attracting new people to the profession, among others.