Assemblyman Andy Goodell, R-Jamestown, is pictured on the floor of the state Assembly with Erin Urban, Dick Kimball, Chautauqua County Farm Bureau president, and Tim Bigham, Farm Bureau senior adviser. Submitted Photo

The New York state Farm Bureau recently honored Assemblyman Andy Goodell, R-Jamestown, and state Sen. Cathy Young, R-Olean, by awarding them its “Circle of Friends” designation based on their voting record on issues of importance to New York agriculture, along with other legislative support during the 2017 legislative session.

Goodell noted the importance of agriculture to Chautauqua County. According to the latest federal agricultural census, Chautauqua County has 236,546 acres of farm land and 1,515 farms. The market value of products grown and produced in Chautauqua County exceeds $161 Million. Chautauqua County ranks first in New York state in grape production and second for the production of fruits and berries, and sixth for hay and silage.

Both Young and Goodell supported several budget initiatives that are critical to local agricultural, including funding for Cornell Cooperative Extension, Wine and Grape Foundation, New York Farm Viability Institute, FarmNet, Cornell Future Farmers of America and the Pro-Dairy program.

The Farm Bureau is a non-partisan organization that supports the best interests of farmers across New York state and nationally.