COVENTRY – State politicians and local agricultural advocates are hoping to draw attention to the plight of struggling dairy farmers by holding a rally at one of Chenango County’s most picturesque farms next week.

“Farmers are in a dire emergency here,” said Assemblyman Cliff Crouch (R,I-Guilford), who helped organize the event with the help of Bradd Vickers of the Chenango County Farm Bureau.

The rally will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at Maple Dream Farm in Coventry. Operated by Mary Klecha-Conroe, the dairy had the honor of being named Farm of the Year by the Chenango County Soil & Water Conservation District in 2008.

According to Crouch, the purpose of the event is to let local farmers know that he and his colleagues are advocating for them in Albany and to also help bring attention to the challenges dairy producers are currently facing.

This is an issue which hits close to home for Crouch. He is not only a former dairyman himself, but for more than 10 years has represented a district, the 107th, where the largest industry is agriculture.