Another Voice / Agriculture
Diane Held: State must protect farmland so we can feed ourselves
It’s fall in Western New York, a time of apples, grapes and pumpkins—a time of abundance. Food seems plentiful, but can New York farms grow enough food to feed the residents of our state?
The short answer is “no.” According to Christian Peters, a Cornell University researcher, New York’s 7 million acres of farmland can feed only 6 million of more than 19 million New Yorkers.
Our ability to feed ourselves is further compromised as farms go out of business and are consumed by poorly planned development. A farm is “developed” every three days in New York, with 83 percent of the state’s fruits, vegetables and dairy products grown on land near cities that are experiencing development pressure.
Should New York strengthen its ability to feed its residents? You bet. Keeping food dollars in New York creates jobs and bolsters the economy. A stronger local food system can also help address public health challenges, and reducing the distance our food travels could help tackle global warming.
Progress is within reach. Because of the leadership of Erie County officials, farmers and residents, this county will soon become the first in New York to update its Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan. This plan should be a roadmap for a robust agricultural economy, the protection of farmland and increased availability of fresh local food for all county residents.
Our state leaders can support these efforts by continuing to invest in our farms. Since 1996, New York’s Farmland Protection Program has awarded funds to protect more than 300 farms encompassing 72,000 acres of farmland. Participating farmers permanently protect their land for agriculture and frequently reinvest the funds they receive in their businesses. These investments ensure that future generations will have the land needed to grow food while strengthening New York’s agricultural industry and the contractors, farm equipment dealers and other local businesses connected with farmers.
Last year State Sen. Antoine Thompson and other Western New York legislators fought to defend the state’s Environmental Protection Fund. It is is the funding source for 30 environmental programs that help protect New York’s air, land and water, including the state’s Farmland Protection Program.
The fund has too often been on the chopping block and almost $500 million has been “borrowed” for other state expenses. The fund’s cash was depleted this year and critical environmental programs almost ground to a halt.
We need our state leaders to continue investing these funds in protecting our farmland and environment and to make sure that money is fully spent as intended and that dollars borrowed from the fund are repaid.
By taking these actions, local and state leaders have an opportunity to stimulate New York’s economy now, while protecting the natural resources we need to grow our food in the future.
Diane Held is New York field representative for the American Farmland Trust.
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