ALBANY – The true diversity of New York’s agriculture industry was on display in Albany Monday night, as the New York Farm Bureau hosted its annual Taste of New York reception.
Legislators from across the state sampled there way through some of New York’s finest products including Long Island duck, Finger Lakes wines and, from Chenango County, Chobani Greek-style yogurt.
The Chenango County Farm Bureau partnered with Agro Farma – the Town of Columbus-based producer of the popular all natural, protein-rich yogurt – for the occasion.
The event, which is part of the organization’s annual lobby days, isn’t just a social occasion. According to Assemblyman Cliff Crouch, it also serves as a way of educating downstate legislators on the importance of agriculture, which is New York’s largest industry.
“Even though we have legislators that represent rural areas,” he said, many more are from urban areas. And in many cases, these individuals “have really a minimal understanding of what foods are produced in New York.”
Crouch showed his pride in Agro Farma’s success by ushering over some of his colleagues from different districts, including Joseph Saladino, who represents New York’s 12th Assembly District.
Saladino praised Crouch, a ranking member of the Assembly ag committee, on his efforts to advocate and educate other legislators on behalf of New York’s farmers.
Assemblyman Pete Lopez and Senator James Seward were also in attendance at the event, and spent time at the booth talking with Agro Farma’s Vice President of Operations Keven Bucklin.
“It’s all happening right here locally. It’s exciting,” Seward said, with a cup of Chobani in hand. “It’s a real bright spot for us.”
The Chenango County booth had a prime location for the event, and dozens of cases of Chobani were distributed by Agro Farma staff members Cassie Stanton and Sara Talcott during the course of the evening, going to first-time tasters and existing fans of the country’s number one Greek-style yogurt.