Today is National Farmers’ Day. Farming is an absolutely essential part of the American economy. In fact, agricultural and food industries support more than 20 million jobs nationwide and account for nearly 10% of all US Employment (USDA.) It’s vital that we continue to do our part to support family owned farms and agricultural businesses. Family farms also make up about 99% of the 2million plus farms over more than 895 million acres across the country, according to USDA.
Did you know that New York is one of the leaders in agriculture in the United States? That’s right! The Empire State brought in $3.3 billion in gross domestic products, and paid nearly $1 million in wages to industry employees in 2021. The state’s largest farming commodity comes from dairy exports like Milk, in which NY State nationally ranks 5th in sales as of 2020.
Farming is such an important part of New York’s past and present, that nearly one quarter of the state’s total land area is dedicated to farmland! Without the efforts of these hardworking farming professionals, we would not have access to so many resources or such abundant food sources.
Here’s some more fun facts about Farms in New York State:
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New York State has close to 700 farmers markets across the state
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Nourish New York is a program that reroutes surplus agricultural products to the state’s network of foodbanks so our vulnerable communities can have access to fresh food
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New York STate is home to more than 33,000 family farms
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Nearly 7 million acres of our state’s land is used for farmland and agriculture
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New York State farmers grow the most varieties of apples than any other state, clocking in at a whopping forty different types of apples in our orchards
Small-scale farming has a beneficial impact on the biodiversity of our environment. Let’s all do our part to support efforts for a greener tomorrow and increase access to affordable foods through agricultural support. A variety of farming methods and crops/livestock can lead to better soil, healthier and more vigorous crops, healthy pollinators, promotion of a healthy lifecycle in the local environment, less land erosion, efficient water conservation and better quality of life overall.
Here are some great orchards, U-Pick farms, farmstands and other agricultural facilities to visit and support for Farmers Day and beyond:
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Brightwaters Farms in Bay Shore
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Organics Today Farm in East Islip
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Colonial Springs Farm in Wheatley Heights
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Lewin Farms in Calverton
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Schneiders Farm in Melville
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Milk Pail U-Pick Farm in Water Mill
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White Post Farms of Melville in Melville
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Harbes Family Farm in Mattituck
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Wickham’s Fruit Farm in Cutchogue
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Harbes Orchard in RIverhead
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Lenny Bruno Farms in Manorville
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Waterdrinker Family Farm & Garden in Manorville
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Pumpkin Patch Farmstand in Yaphank
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Hank Hulse Farms in Moriches
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Deer Run Farms in Brookhaven
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Hodun Farms in Calverton