ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — State lawmakers convened on Tuesday to assess government aid programs for new farmers entering New York's agricultural industry. The Assembly Agriculture Committee hearing found that, while state investments have sparked demand, these emerging farmers still can't easily secure land, capital, or skilled labor.

Such farmers, often between ages 18 and 35, include those who are completely new to the trade and those transitioning into farm ownership. The average farmer age is about 57 in New York, where 60% of nearly 60,000 farmers are above 54 years old.

Democratic Committee Chair Donna Lupardo and ranking Republican Assemblymember Chris Tague led the discussion scrutinizing the effectiveness of programs funded in the 2025 to 2026 state budget. Tague, a former dairy

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