Press Release, New York Farm Bureau

File photo by Tom Rivers: Two turkeys roams along West Bacon Road in Gaines.

New York Farm Bureau’s 2022 Market Basket Survey shows the price of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner saw a double-digit price jump from last year’s meal.

The average total price, which includes a 16-pound turkey and other common items found on a holiday dinner table, is $66.39, about a 26% increase over last year’s price of $52.59.

Our volunteer shoppers found turkey prices to be about $1.89 per pound in New York State, which is 43 cents per pound over last year’s average price in this informal survey. This price is slightly above the national average of $1.81/lb. As we move closer to Thanksgiving, turkey prices may drop in the stores, reflecting sales in the final days before the holiday.

The New York numbers revealed price increases over last year in nearly every category, except for fresh cranberries which saw a 30-cent decrease. The most notable increases were for stuffing mix, brown-and-serve rolls, and frozen pie crusts.

This year’s survey also includes a similar increase for an expanded menu that includes a four-pound ham, five-pound bag of russet potatoes and a package of frozen green beans. When those prices are included, the total meal price jumps to $82.16 or a 22% increase over last year’s number. New York shoppers found bargains on hams compared to the national numbers, with a four-pound ham costing $10.08 or $1.56 less than the national average.

There are several reasons for the increased costs of this year’s meal. They reflect the continued supply and demand issues, higher commodity prices because of the war in Ukraine, as well as the increased costs for packaging and transportation. Despite those increases, most of those higher costs do not trickle down to the farmer who receives only about eight cents of each dollar consumers spend on food at the store. The rest goes to pay for things like marketing, processing, and transportation of the food.

This dinner price represents the greatest increase since the survey began more than three decades ago and will undoubtedly make it more difficult for some families to afford a big holiday dinner. But it is important to put the cost into context: at just under $6.64 per person for a family of 10, New Yorkers still enjoy one of the most affordable food supplies in the world.

This survey is one of the responsibilities of the NYFB State Promotion and Education Committee and is part of the national effort with the American Farm Bureau Federation. AFBF’s 37th annual informal national price survey found the average national cost of this year’s feast is $64.05, or $2.34 cents less than New York’s number. That is in part attributed to the competitive nature of grocery store markets and perhaps better promotional pricing in other regions of the country. More information on the national survey can be found at www.fb.org.

“New Yorkers continue to face challenges at the grocery store, but the supply of food remains strong in this country thanks to our farmers and farmworkers who continue to produce amidst their own price and labor challenges. The best plan of attack for shoppers is to do comparison shopping to find the best deals near you. We expect more people to purchase store brand and frozen food items compared to years past because of the ongoing inflation,” said Darleen Krisher-Meehan, chair of New York Farm Bureau’s Promotion and Education Committee.

New York Farm Bureau’s volunteer shoppers sampled prices at more than a dozen different supermarkets throughout the state between October 18 – 30, trying to get the best prices available, but they did not use promotional coupons or special deals such as “buy one-get one free.”  They were also encouraged to use online shopping. The shopping list includes 15 common Thanksgiving food items ranging from turkey and rolls to stuffing and celery to pumpkin pie mix, enough to feed 10 people around the dinner table. An average for miscellaneous ingredients, like flour and butter, is also included.

The numbers below reflect the overall average of the volunteer shoppers and is not meant to be a true scientific survey, but rather a snapshot of what shoppers may find leading up to the holiday.

Photo by Tom Rivers: These bales of straw shown in mid-July are in a field by East Shelby Road in Shelby near the Millville Cemetery.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture will soon be sent to millions of producers across the 50 states and Puerto Rico. The census is done every five years to provide comprehensive and impartial agriculture data for every state, county and territory.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, says the census will be mailed in phases, starting with an invitation to respond online in November followed by paper questionnaires in December.

Farm operations of all sizes, urban and rural, which produced and sold, or normally would have sold, $1,000 or more of agricultural product in 2022 are included in the census.

The census has been collected since 1840 and conducted every five years. The census highlights land use and ownership, producer characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures, among other topics.

Revisions to the questionnaire document changes and emerging trends in the industry. Changes to the 2022 questionnaire include new questions about the use of precision agriculture, hemp production, hair sheep, and updates to internet access questions. The census data is expected to be released in the spring/summer 2024.

To learn more about the Census of Agriculture, visit nass.usda.gov/AgCensus or call 800-727-9540.

The 2017 agricultural census showed farm revenues in New York totalling $5,369,212,000 in 2017. That was down slightly from the $5,415,125,000 in 2012.

In Orleans County, farm products sold for $155.3 million in 2017. That was up 3.3 percent over 5 years from the $150.3 million in 2012 for sales of fruit, vegetables, milk, livestock and other farm products. The 2012 figure was a 48.8 percent jump from the $101.0 million recorded in 2007, according to the Agricultural Census.

Agriculture is Orleans County’s leading industry. The 2017 Ag Census counts 498 farms in the county. The number of farms in the county is up from the 487 in 2012. (It was 554 in 2007.)

The top 15 counties in NYS for farm revenue in the 2017 census include:

1) Wyoming, $307.5 million

2) Cayuga: $287.9 million

3) Genesee: $234.9 million

4) Suffolk, $225.6 million

5) Wayne, $221.3 million

6) Ontario, $205.2 million

7) Steuben, $196.0 million

8) St Lawrence, 191.1 million

9) Livingston: $183.7 million

10) Onondaga, $178.4 million

11) Clinton, $167.8 million

12) Jefferson, $165.1 million

13) Chautauqua: $161.0 million

14) Orleans $155.3 million

15) Lewis, $153.1 million

Source: U.S. Ag Census

Press Release, Niagara County Farm Bureau

Provided photo: Niagara County Farm Bureau President Kevin Bittner, left, is congratulated by NY Farm Bureau District 2 Director Pat McCormick.

LOCKPORT – Niagara County Farm Bureau held its annual meeting at the Farm and Home Center. It focused on the grassroots foundation of the organization.

In reviewing the past year,  President Jeannette Miller recapped the year chronologically.  She talked about the lobbying efforts, the Corn booth at County Fair, Ag Literacy month and other efforts to influence the political issues during the year.

Pat McCormick, District 2 State Board Director, spoke about the state efforts. Although the Wage Board recommendations did not go the way the members hoped (with the overtime threshold to be lowered in agriculture), he encouraged those present to keep up the efforts to explain the issue to Governor Hochul.

He focused on the success of the Taste NY event in Queens. Many political and business leaders attended this educational event. There is another event planned and he encouraged county leaders to participate in the next event. In addition, there are new programs to encourage membership in the state organization.

The evening concluded with officer elections. Those elected are President Kevin Bittner, Vice President Mark Russell, and board members Kassidy Voelpel, Jeannette Miller, Kelly Raby, Trevor Ganshaw and Max Russell.

Bittner is the orchard specialist for Bittner-Singer Orchards in Appleton. His father, Jim Bittner, is a past president of the Niagara County Farm Bureau.

When asked about his plans for the coming year, Bittner stated, “My goal is that Farm Bureau will represent all farms, large and small. Anyone who wishes to become a member please contact any current member for an application. Any member who wishes to get involved in our policy development or events please contact me or any board member.”

For more information about Niagara County Farm Bureau, its projects and events, email info@niagaracountyfarmbureau.com or call 716-735-7791.

Photos by Tom Rivers

A farmer works in a corn field on Peter Smith Road in Kendall near Route 18 late this afternoon. Farmers have been working at a frantic pace to bring in the crops. They have benefitted from a recent string of sunny days in the 70s, which continues on Tuesday.

These bales of corn stalks are shown this afternoon on Harrison Road in Shelby.

These bales cast a long shadow late this afternoon on Harrison Road.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Tegan Miller, an employee with Panek Farms, moves a big bin of pumpkins this afternoon at a field on West Countyhouse Road in Albion.

The colorful pumpkins are sold at Panek’s at the corner of West Countyhouse and West Barre-Eagle Harbor roads.

Jayden Neal creates new tech to help keep cows comfortable

Jayden Neal and his father Jody are featured in a new episode of “This American Dairy Farmer.” Jayden developed technology to automate curtains, lighting, sprinklers, fans and alley scrapers to create a more consistent and comfortable environment for the cows. He also developed an activity tag for the cows. Jayden also utilizes drone mapping for the farm.

Press Release, American Dairy Association North East

ALBION – Offering a glimpse into the lives of hardworking farmers, American Dairy Association North East released a new episode of “This American Dairy Farmer,” a digital series highlighting family, tradition and sustainable food production on local dairy farms.

Every gallon has a story, and “This American Dairy Farmer” offers a behind-the-scenes look at dairy farms and the families who operate them, while helping viewers make personal connections with those who produce their food.

In “Robotics Whiz Invents Farm Technology,” which debuted October 6 on AmericanDairy.com, viewers meet dairy farmer Jody Neal and his son, Jayden, of Orleans Poverty Hill Farm in Albion. Jayden Neal is a sophomore at the Rochester Institute of Technology, majoring in robotics and manufacturing.

“My son Jayden helps on the technology side of things and helps make some of my dreams come true,” Jody Neal explained. Jayden has invented many gadgets that make life easier on the farm.

Jayden Neal has embraced technology to help the Neal dairy farm run smoother and track feed inputs. He is working on a system with QR codes that track equipment’s maintenance.

“I think it’s so cool that I’m able to implement my love of technology here on the farm. And there is so much here that can be automated, I believe I can make a difference,” Jayden Neal said.

Watch “This American Dairy Farmer” to learn more about how Jayden’s innovations ease the workload for employees and family members, streamlining operations at the farm.

“This series is an opportunity for consumers to meet and learn about the people who produce the milk for everything from their morning coffee to their children’s school meals,” said John Chrisman, CEO of American Dairy Association North East. “You see the passion dairy farmers have for taking care of their animals, protecting the environment and leaving a legacy for the next generation.”

“This American Dairy Farmer” visits 12 dairy farms in 2022. New episodes will continue to air through the fall months at AmericanDairy.com, where seasons one and two are also available here. Other GLOW area dairies featured in the first three seasons include Stein Farms in LeRoy, Noblehurst Farms in Pavilion, HaR-Go Farms in Pavilion and Rudgers Registered Jerseys in Attica.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) expressed his displeasure with Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon’s decision to lower the farm overtime threshold from 60 to 40 hours.

With inflation and minimum wage set to rise again, this decision could force hundreds of farms out of business in the very near future.

“This decision is going to have grave consequences for all New Yorkers because without farms, our state has no food,” Hawley said. “Farmers provide one of the most important services to our state and many of our farmers and farm laborers rely on the current 60-hour overtime threshold to ensure profits.

“Farmers face challenges unlike any other business and that last thing Albany should be doing from their ivory towers is telling our local farmers how to run their businesses,” Hawley said. “I will continue to lead the charge toward overturning this terrible ruling to protect our local agriculture operations.”

Editor’s Note: The overtime threshold will be phased in over 10 years. The overtime work limit will drop by 4 hours every other year beginning in 2024 until reaching 40 hours in 2032.

‘This is nothing short of a scheduled collapse of New York’s agricultural industry.’ – State Sen. Rob Ortt

The state will be lowering the overtime threshold in agriculture from 60 to 40 hours a week in phased-in process from 2024 to 2032, the state’s Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon announced this afternoon.

The decision from the DOL commissioner sparked concern in the farm community about much-higher operating costs in a state where New York already is at a competitive disadvantage with other states and countries.

“This is a difficult day for all those who care about New York being able to feed itself,” said New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher. “Commissioner Reardon’s decision to lower the farm labor overtime threshold will make it even tougher to farm in this state and will be a financial blow to the workers we all support.

“Moving forward, farms will be forced to make difficult decisions on what they grow, the available hours they can provide to their employees, and their ability to compete in the marketplace,” Fisher said. “All of this was highlighted in the testimony and data that the wage board report and the commissioner simply ignored.”

Fisher was part of a three-person Farm Laborers Wage Board. He cast the lone no vote against recommending the overtime threshold be lowered on Sept. 6. Reardon today said she was going with the Wage Board’s recommendation, which passed 2-1. Fisher was the only representative from the agricultural sector on that board.

The overtime threshold will be phased in over 10 years. The overtime work limit will drop by 4 hours every other year beginning in 2024 until reaching 40 hours in 2032, giving agriculture businesses proper time to adjust, Reardon said.

“I come from a farm community myself, so I know how important the agricultural sector is to the New York State economy,” Reardon said in a statement. “Based on the findings, I feel the Farm Laborers Wage Board’s recommendations are the best path forward to ensure equity for farm workers and success for agricultural businesses.”

During the course of the Wage Board’s deliberations in 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul and State Legislature enacted three new tax credits to assist farm employers in transitioning to a lower overtime standard, the DOL said. Those credits include:

• The Investment Tax Credit was increased from 4 percent to 20 percent for farm businesses, providing an encouragement for potential automation of farm production.
• The Farm Workforce Retention Tax Credit was increased to $1,200 per employee to provide near-term relief to farmers.
• Most importantly, a new refundable overtime tax credit was established for overtime hours paid by farm employers at the level established by the Board and confirmed by the Commissioner up to 60 hours.

GROW NY Farms, a coalition of about 150 organizations in New York’s agricultural industry, issued this statement: “New York’s agricultural community is deeply disappointed in Commissioner Reardon’s ill-informed decision to lower the overtime threshold for our family farms. This decision threatens the security of our food supply, the retention of our skilled farmworkers, and the future of New York’s farms. If Governor Hochul has the ability to step in and stop this damaging decision, she must do so immediately.”

State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt issued this statement: “Today’s decision by the New York State Department of Labor Commissioner is the wrong one. By approving this recommendation from a board composed of unelected bureaucrats, this mandate will devastate family farms still reeling from the pandemic.

“It is clear Albany’s one-party ruling class doesn’t care about family farms and seems hell-bent on destroying agriculture in New York State. This is nothing short of a scheduled collapse of New York’s agricultural industry.”

‘Our farming industry functions much differently than other industries and would crumble under this Albany mandate.’ – Rob Ortt

Press Release, NYS Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

ALBANY – Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and members of the Senate Republican Conference penned a letter to the New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon urging her to reject the Farm Laborers Wage Board recommendation to lower the overtime threshold for New York State farms from 60 hours to 40 hours per week.

“Our economy relies greatly on our New York State farmers, who are already struggling with 40-year high inflation, record-high fuel prices, and severe worker shortages,” Ortt said. “Our farming industry functions much differently than other industries and would crumble under this Albany mandate. If the final report is accepted by the Labor Commissioner, we will see livelihoods across our state ruined and a mass exodus of farm workers. The damage will go beyond our farming industry and increase the price of consumer goods that many New Yokers are already struggling to afford. If we want to keep workers here, combat rising prices, and support our farmers, then Albany must stay at 60.”

During public hearings held by this Farm Laborers Wage Board, hundreds of farmers took time from their busy days to give emotional comments expressing their concerns that increased labor costs would threaten their small family farms, which make up 96 percent of New York’s farms. Several economic development and business organizations came out in opposition to reducing the 60-hour overtime threshold, including the Grow NY Farms Coalition, the Business Council of New York State, the National Federation of Independent Businesses of New York (NFIB) and Upstate United.

“While it is common to hear state leaders praise the invaluable contributions of our farming community, nice words ultimately do nothing to help New York farmers who are struggling under the weight of ever-expanding state mandates and rising costs,” said Senator George Borrello, Ranking Member of the Agriculture Committee. “The decision on whether to accept the Wage Board’s misguided recommendation that the overtime threshold be lowered is an opportunity to back up words with action. By rejecting the adoption of a 40-hour threshold, Governor Hochul and Commissioner Reardon can save our farming community from a long, painful demise and ensure this vital industry has a future in our state.”

“I govern by listening and when farmers and farmworkers alike tell me this change will be detrimental to their ability to produce here in New York, I take notice. It is far past time for Albany to do the same and reject this misguided change. The future of farming in New York State is on the line, and we will not stop speaking out against this bad policy until the voices of those who will be impacted are truly heard and the decision reversed,” said Senator Sue Serino.

In December 2021, Senate Republicans wrote a letter to the Wage Board, citing a Cornell University study that found that two-thirds of dairy farmers would make significant changes to their operation, including leaving the industry or investing out of state, and half of fruit and vegetable farmers indicated they would decrease their operations or exit the industry, if the overtime threshold was lowered to 40 hours.

On January 28, 2022, the Wage Board revisited the overtime threshold set in 2019 through the Farm Laborer Fair Labor Practices Act (FLFLPA), and voted to reduce the threshold from 60 hours to 40 over the next decade, decreasing the threshold by four hours every two years.

Members of the Senate Republican Conference signed onto a follow-up letter written Aug. 16, 2022. On Sept. 1, 2022, Senator Serino joined her Republican colleagues and members of the local agriculture community calling on the Farm Labor Wage Board in Albany to reject a reduction of the overtime threshold from the current 60 hours to the proposed 40 hours.

Despite near-universal opposition, the Wage Board voted 2-1 on Sept. 6 to advance its final recommendation for lowering of the overtime threshold for farmers. The state Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon has 45 days from this date to accept or reject the recommendation.

In addition, Senator Borrello carries a bill to abolish the Farm Laborers Wage Board, who ignored 70% of testimony with their overtime threshold recommendation. The legislation is co-sponsored by fellow Senate Republicans, including Leader Ortt and Senator Serino.

Lowering OT threshold would be ‘death warrant for thousands of farms’

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) introduced the Protect Local Farms Act (H.R. 8756) to prevent the New York State Farm Laborers Wage Board’s recommendation to lower the overtime threshold from 60 hours to 40 hours per week from taking effect. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) is a co-sponsor of the legislation as well.

“Two days ago, the New York State Farm Laborers Wage Board handed down their final recommendation to lower the overtime threshold for farm workers from 60 hours to 40 hours – this is a devastating decision made by out-of-touch bureaucrats which will bankrupt family farms throughout our state and end farming as we know it,” Jacobs said. “If Gov. Hochul approves this recommendation, she is signing the death warrant for thousands of farms.”

The Protect Local Farms Act (H.R. 8756) is designed to combat the New York State Farm Laborers Wage Board decision by mandating federally that the overtime threshold for the agriculture industry cannot be set lower than 60 hours per week – keeping New York’s current threshold in place.

“Farming is not like other industries,” Jacobs said. “It is not a normal work week, is subject to weather, and operates within very slim margins. None of these factors were properly considered before this recommendation was made. Our already small workforce will be further depleted as workers seek more hours in other states, and our farmers will face dire financial burdens.”

“The farmworker overtime threshold in New York makes it harder for our farms to make ends meet when we face higher labor costs than nearly every other state in the country,” said Patrick McCormick, dairy farmer and New York Farm Bureau State Director. “Rep. Jacobs common-sense legislation looks to put every farm on the same level playing field. A set minimum federal overtime threshold will eliminate the competitive edge one state has over another and benefit farmworkers at the same time.”

Assemblyman urges DOL commissioner not to adopt changes

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is expressing disappointment following a decision by the Farm Laborers Wage Board to advance a recommendation to Commissioner of Labor Roberta Reardon to lower the farm laborer overtime threshold from 60 hours to 40.

For months, Hawley has stood alongside farmers, farmworkers, agricultural advocates, owners of agri-businesses and other lawmakers to call on the board to reject a proposed reduction to the overtime threshold, warning of the devastating effects such a decision would have on rural communities and all who work in the agricultural sector.

As the board considered whether or not to implement a lower threshold, they collected testimony regarding the proposal during a series of virtual hearings. During those hearings, the vast majority of testimony provided by farmers and farmworkers opposed its implementation, warning that it threatened the livelihoods of both farm owners and laborers.

The concerns expressed by those opposed to lowering the threshold have been corroborated by a number of studies, as a report by Farm Credit East has stated that the total cost of lowering the overtime threshold to 40 hours, coupled with minimum wage increases, would result in an increase in labor costs by over 40 percent for New York’s farms.

Another study by Cornell University found that 70 percent of New York farm labor guest workers would not return to New York were the threshold to be lowered and would instead seek work in other states where they have the opportunity to work longer hours.

Following the advancement of the Wage Board’s final report and recommendation, the fate of the farm overtime threshold rests in the hands of Reardon, who has 45 days to decide whether to accept or reject it.

“Now that the fate of farming as we know it here in New York state has been put in jeopardy by the Wage Board, even after hearing how their decision will jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and farm laborers, I sincerely hope that Commissioner Reardon will step in to prevent what would prove to be a catastrophic event for rural communities and the entire agricultural sector,” Hawley said. “Lowering this threshold helps nobody while threatening the existence of multi-generational family farms and an entire way of life, so I sincerely hope that ultimately both the threshold and the continued viability of our farms will be preserved.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Workers harvest cabbage on Route 98 in Gaines in August 2017

If given final OK, Ortt says change would be ‘monumental disaster that will sadly be the final straw for many of our struggling family farms.’

A three-person Farm Laborers Wage Board voted 2-1 this afternoon in a recommendation that the state reduce the overtime threshold for New York farm workers in a gradual phase-in from 60 to 40 hours a week.

New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher cast one of the three votes and he opposed lowering the threshold. Fisher said the report is flawed and doesn’t reflect the data and witness testimony in hearings that he said showed lowering the OT threshold would hurt farms and farmworkers.

“It barely touches on the testimony of how this will make our farms less competitive and how labor shortages are already a challenge and will only get worse if workers leave the state to seek more hours elsewhere,” Fisher said about the report. “The facts cannot be ignored, even if the report does not give them their due diligence.”

The two other boards members – chairwoman Brenda McDuffie, former president and CEO of the Buffalo Urban League; and Denis Hughes, former state AFL-CIO president – voted in favor of lowering the farmworker overtime threshold in a gradual phase-in to 40 hours over the next decade.

“What’s become clear throughout these proceedings is that action is needed,” McDuffie said during today’s meeting. “It is our duty to protect tens of thousands of farm workers and align their rights with those in other industries.”

State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt blasted the Wage Board’s decision, saying it will put many New York farms at a competitive disadvantage with nearby states.

“Today’s decision by the Farm Laborers Wage Board is a monumental disaster that will sadly be the final straw for many of our struggling family farms,” Ortt said in a statement. “The current labor mandates were already a tremendous burden on our farmers, particularly at a time when many of them are still reeling from the pandemic, supply chain issues, and soaring prices.”

Ortt said testimony from farms and farmworkers, warning about the negative impact of the changing the OT threshold, where ignored by the majority of the Wage Board.

“At a time when we have already seen many businesses leave New York and family farms have been forced to shut down, this reduction will cause further devastation to our agriculture industry,” he said. “It will sadly force even more of our family farms out of business, hurt workers, and increase costs to consumers.”

Reducing the overtime threshold for farm laborers is proposed to be phased in over a ten-year period, with reductions of four hours on a biannual basis.

The phase-in schedule would begin on January 1, 2024, with the threshold set at 56 hours; on January 1, 2026, with the threshold set at 52 hours; on January 1, 2028, with the threshold set at 48 hours; on January 1, 2030, with the threshold set at 44 hours; on January 1, 2032, with the threshold set at 40 hours.

The New York Civil Liberties Union praised the decision by the Wage Board and urged the Department of Labor and the governor to formally approve it.

“Farmworkers have waited over 80 years for an end to the racist exclusion that has stolen countless hours of overtime pay,” said Lisa Zucker, senior attorney for legislative affairs. “Gov. Hochul and Commissioner Reardon must prevent another generation of workers from suffering by unequivocally accepting the Wage Board’s recommendation. With Gov. Hochul’s more than dollar-for-dollar refundable tax credit, there is no reason that the overtime threshold cannot be immediately lowered to 40 hours, eradicating this racist Jim Crow policy once and for all.”

Ortt and others many opposed to lowering the threshold are asking the DOL Commissioner Roberta Reardon and Gov. Kathy Hochul to reject the plan.

“I implore state Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon and Governor Kathy Hochul to reject this recommendation,” said Assemblyman Michael Norris of Lockport. “With New Yorkers already struggling to afford groceries and gas with the rising costs of inflation, it is unfathomable that non-elected bureaucrats at the Farm Labor Wage Board are going to make it harder and more expensive to feed a family in our state.”

Norris said the proposal, if enacted, would result in smaller paychecks because of fewer hours being available for farmworkers. He said they would go to other states where they could earn more money.

“These workers will just move on to other states to work,” Norris said. “Sadly, this decision is just another example on how Albany seems intent on pushing everyone out of our state with burdensome mandates.”