The last week in September the New York Senate Agricultural Committee Chairman Darrel J. Aubertine toured a number of farm operations to discuss their operations, their concerns and the importance of agriculture to Long Island economy and citizens. The big 3 issues for us were Immigration/Farm Labor concerns, Increasing Damage from Wildlife, and Farm Profitability/General Economics.

Over the last two years, Long Island Farm Bureau has been working closely with Suffolk County, Peconic Land Trust and other interested parties to make careful improvements to Chapter 8 Laws of Suffolk County - the Farmland Preservation Program. The program has worked very well over the life of the program in preserving 15,000 acres of farmland between Suffolk County, the Towns and New York State. 

Now it needs to be modified to work even better.

Once a policy concept is articulated and developed in writing, it is presented to the Farm Bureau membership at our annual meeting in October and voted up by the members present.  If a policy is adopted, it then is deemed a “position” on a particular issue.

The challenges of farming continue this season. August is upon us already, yet the weather has not straightened out as a normal Long Island summer is typically hot and dry. This year is cool and very wet. The first summer that I can remember that we didn’t have one-day reach 90.

Wow, time is flying. Fourth of July and summer is officially here! The weather has been so crappy I’ve been keeping my head low and just keep working on the issues.  My farmer friends are not very happy as you can imagine.

Can’t believe its June already. I saw local strawberries out this past weekend. I’ve been enjoying Lyle Wells’ asparagus and Schmitt’s spinach for a couple of weeks already, nothing better than “Grown on Long Island” produce.

 The question of the day was regarding a report released by a number of environmental groups that found 8 out of every 10 citizens support open space and farmland acquisition even though we are in a national recession, and what were my thoughts about it.

In Chapter 8, the Suffolk County Farmland Preservation Program, the laws spell out the #1 goal is to protect the resource, meaning the land itself, #2 protect the economic viability of the agricultural industry meaning what good is farmland without farmers?

Long Island Farm Bureau as an organization, believes large lot zoning ie: one house per 5 acres or more is a waste of land and harmful to farmers equity (asset value) and their ability to capitalize their business operation.