GOSHEN – Following a roundtable session with farmers about issues in the Goshen Black Dirt region of Orange County, State Assemblyman Colin Schmitt (R, New Windsor) shared some of the key points with area officials.
Schmitt is running for Congress this fall.
“In this time of multiple crises, it is important to ensure a strong and stable domestic supply chain. We should know where our food comes from and that it is safe,” Schmitt said. He referred to the “Blessing of having the Hudson Valley as the breadbasket of New York City, and in fact of the entire Northeast.” But he added that its continued success is put at risk by over-regulation, such as the labor board’s new overtime standards and current inflation which is hitting the bottom line of profit in the farm community.
“Folks here have a lot of experience in various areas of agriculture. Their knowledge and opinions should be reflected in Washington and Albany. Currently they are not,” the lawmaker said.
Schmitt was flanked by about a dozen local officials, each speaking about the urgency of supporting the local agricultural community.
County Executive Steve Neuhaus referred to complaints he had heard from farmers at the Cornell Cooperative Extension agency saying they spoke of the significant damage that had been done to the Orange County agriculture community by new regulations. Neuhaus emphasized the importance of growing produce and raising cattle locally, rather than relying on distant supply chains. “The Hudson Valley is one of the biggest growing communities in the country, and it should not be hampered by over regulation.”
He made the point that with the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia it has become clear that disruption in one part of the world disrupts food supplies everywhere. The solution, he said, is “Grow and produce more, right here in the Hudson Valley.”
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