In our ever evolving world, one thing has not changed: farming remains the number one industry in New York state.  Despite that fact, many of our hard working farmers are being forced out of business, while others are in need of a lifeline to preserve this time honored tradition.

According to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, agricultural production returned over $3.6 billion to the farm economy in 2005 (the last year data was available).  Nationally, New York ranks high in a number of categories including meat production, poultry production and crop production.  These sectors are all important, but the top producer in New York remains the dairy industry.  When it comes to dairy production New York is third nationally, behind only California and Wisconsin, with cash receipts from milk sales totaling almost $2 billion.

 For several years now the amount of money paid to farmers for milk has been dropping even though production costs and fuel prices continue to rise.  Feed prices are up making it more expensive to maintain a healthy herd.  Fuel prices have skyrocketed boosting the amount of money it takes to get the milk to market.  It does not take an accountant to realize the profit margin is shrinking dramatically.