Lawmakers Held Roundtable With New York Farmers
State senators met with agricultural leaders in Varysburg to address rising operational costs and regulatory burdens.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Organic Food
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State Senators George Borrello and Patrick Gallivan hosted a roundtable at Hidden Valley Lodge for 40 local farmers. The discussion focused on the economic strain caused by increasing labor, utility, and fuel costs as well as regulatory obstacles.
Why it matters
Lawmakers are gathering input on the agricultural industry to shape policy priorities before the upcoming legislative session. This feedback is essential for addressing the financial pressures that have contributed to the recent loss of farmland and farm operations.
New York lost 500 farms and 100,000 acres of farmland between 2024 and 2025. This followed an earlier trend from 2017 to 2022 that saw an 8 percent drop in total farms and a 40 percent decrease in dairy operations.
The players
George Borrello
George Borrello is a New York State Senator who represents the 57th Senate District.
Patrick Gallivan
Patrick Gallivan is a New York State Senator representing the 60th Senate District.
The details
Farmers from Wyoming, Genesee, and Erie counties participated in the session to discuss the conflict between state protections and local regulations. While the state has seen $3 billion in new dairy processing investments, producers emphasized that rising diesel and labor prices remain significant hurdles.
Timeline
From 2017 to 2022, the state saw a significant contraction in both total and dairy-specific farm counts.
Between 2024 and 2025, 500 farms and 100,000 acres of land were lost across the state.
The agriculture roundtable was hosted by state senators in October 2026.
Culture Shift
The agricultural challenges discussed at the roundtable mirror the structural decline evidenced by the 40 percent decrease in New York dairy farms observed between 2017 and 2022. This ongoing contraction highlights a significant shift in the state's rural economy and land use.
The potential policy changes discussed by lawmakers could influence local food prices and the availability of state-grown dairy products for residents. Farmers may also see adjustments in how local regulations are enforced, which could affect the operational stability of their businesses.
The takeaway
Legislators intend to advocate for new policies in Albany and Washington to mitigate the economic pressures facing producers. Farmers are encouraged to continue engaging with local offices to ensure that future regulations address current operational realities.
Further reading
For more on the state of local agriculture and food production, visit the New York Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Observertoday.
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