Aubertine's farmer tour coming Thursday to Watertown

State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, will host a hearing on farm issues from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday in the Jules Center at Jefferson Community College, Watertown.

Those wishing to speak at the hearing must fax a form by the end of Tuesday to Sarah Blood, committee director, at (518) 426-6946 or e-mail her at blood@senate.state.ny.us. The form is available here.

Mr. Aubertine, the Senate Agriculture chairman, is gathering feedback on several issues, including the dairy crisis, the proposed Farm Workers Fair Labor Practices Act, and efforts to promote local agriculture. Mr. Aubertine's office has said farmers in previous sessions have also asked for reduced regulations, the elimination of "stop and haul" fees, and to fight imports of milk protein concentrates and caseinates.

The Cape Vincent Democrat will be joined Thursday by state Sen. David J. Valesky, D-Oneida, a fellow Agriculture Committee member.

The New York Farm Bureau has helped organize a series of roundtable discussions and farm tours for the Agriculture Committee, including stops in Eden Valley, Jamestown, the Northfork region of Long Island, Morrisville, Ithaca, Warsaw, Granby.

"New York cannot afford to lose another industry. Make no mistake: Agriculture is an industry and it is the foundation of our economy," Mr. Aubertine said in a statement. "Farms create wealth, and do so in the surrounding communities. Yet too often in discussions about revitalizing our economy, agriculture is set aside as though it is something different."

The special Senate session has forced the Agriculture Committee to postpone two roundtables. Mr. Aubertine will meet with farmers from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 23 at the Waddington Village Hall, 46 Maple St. A forum in Schoharie County, scheduled for Tuesday, does not yet have a make-up date.