New York Farmers Faced Mounting Industry Pressures
State legislators met with agricultural producers to discuss the impact of rising costs and farm closures on local food systems.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Organic Food
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State Senators George Borrello and Patrick Gallivan hosted a roundtable in Varysburg with 40 agricultural leaders to address the state's recent loss of farmland. The dialogue focused on the economic strain and regulatory hurdles currently facing local producers.
Why it matters
Lawmakers are gathering input on how rising operating costs and declining milk prices affect the viability of regional agriculture. This feedback is intended to shape upcoming legislative advocacy in Albany and Washington.
Official government statistics show that New York lost 500 farms and 100,000 acres of farmland between 2024 and 2025. This follows a broader 2017 to 2022 trend where the state experienced an 8 percent drop in total farms and a 40 percent decrease in dairy farms.
The players
George Borrello
A New York State Senator focused on agriculture and regional economic policy.
Patrick Gallivan
A New York State Senator representing western New York with a focus on agricultural industry sustainability.
The details
Farmers at the roundtable highlighted how increased expenses for utilities, labor, and diesel fuel are squeezing their profit margins. Compounding these costs are administrative review processes that producers must navigate when managing local land-use regulations. Despite these challenges, there has been $3 billion in new and expanded dairy processing investments across upstate regions.
Timeline
From 2017 to 2022, New York lost 8 percent of its farms and 40 percent of its dairy farms.
Between 2024 and 2025, the state lost 500 farms and 100,000 acres of farmland.
In October 2026, Senators Borrello and Gallivan hosted the agriculture roundtable at Hidden Valley Lodge.
Health Landscape
This roundtable occurs against the backdrop of the 2017-2022 New York agricultural census trends that saw significant consolidation in the dairy sector. Legislative efforts now aim to reconcile these long-term industrial pressures with the state's $3 billion dairy processing investment strategy.
These agricultural shifts directly impact the local food supply chain and the accessibility of regionally produced dairy and farm goods. Residents interested in how these economic trends affect their local access to fresh food should monitor upcoming policy proposals emerging from the state capital.
The takeaway
The recent roundtable underscores the tension between rising operational costs and state-level agricultural investment. As a consumer, you can track the stability of your local food systems by staying informed about state-level support for small and mid-sized family farms.
Further reading
For broader context on the state's agricultural climate, visit our Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Observertoday.
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