Written by Liz Bunce, Economic Development Specialist

When I look at the state of industry in today’s economy, I am reminded of the line from the television program, “The Six Million Dollar Man,” that says, “We can rebuild him. We have the technology. We can make him better than he was. Better…stronger…faster.” That seems to have been the goal spurred on by competition in a global economy. The agriculture industry has not been exempt from this trend.

Growing up on a dairy farm in Chenango County, I saw many changes in the technology and general practices required to operate a successfully dairy. Now, as a hop farmer in this county, I continue to see advances in equipment and methods among the re-burgeoning hops industry in the Northeast. Time stands still for no one, under the pressure to be better…stronger…faster.