GREENE – If agriculture fails, our communities fail.

That’s what Assemblyman Pete Lopez (R-Schoharie) told members of the Chenango County Farm Bureau and their guests at the organization’s 52nd Annual Meeting Wednesday at The Silo restaurant in Greene.

Lopez, who represents the southeast corner of the county in the 127th District, says farming is the key to this region, and he praised Chenango’s farmers for their ongoing enthusiasm.

“Agriculture is the key to the region and the livelihood of the people here,” Lopez said. “If agriculture fails, our communities fail. And there’s an enthusiasm to keep it going in Chenango County that I don’t see everywhere else. That energy gets people in Albany to listen.”

The bureau voted on officers and agriculture policy for the county and state’s 2008 political platform, as well as recognized those who’ve made a positive impact within the industry locally.

K. “Giff” Foster received the “Advocate for Agriculture Award and a proclamation from Lopez and Assemblyman Cliff Crouch for his efforts in promoting farming as both a food and energy source.