Hundreds of farmers from across New York converged on the State Capitol Monday urging legislators to back off on a series of measures that aim to drive more family farms out of business, killing local agriculture and jobs.

The theme of the Capitol rally was: “Don’t plow us under!”

“Albany has spent the past year increasing our taxes, increasing our fees, and debating bills that will turn our family farms into factories, and we are simply tired of it,” said Dean Norton, president of New York Farm Bureau.

Kenneth Adams, president and CEO of the Business Council of New York State, Inc said, “New York’s high taxes and intense regulatory environment have driven jobs and people from our state. The success of family farms is vital to New York’s economy. Last year’s budget made a bad situation worse by adding billions of dollars in new taxes and fees in the middle of the recession. This year, the legislature must change course and take action to lower the cost of doing business in our state to ensure economic recovery.”

The farmers came to Albany to bring attention to the following issues:

– An ill-conceived, outdated labor bill that would force family farm operations into a labor system more appropriate for factories.

– A roll-back of excessive regulations, paperwork, and taxes and fees on family farm operations.

– A failing infrastructure, preventing efficient day-to-day transport of produce and milk to New York consumers.

– A DOT proposal to ban farm trucks from rural farm roads across the state.

– Broadband expansion that has bypassed rural New York.

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