Photo courtesy of Michelle Barber: Attica Future Farmers of America Chapter Officers Madelyn King, Brooke Luck, Erika Conrad and Larissa Hyman are pictured at the New York State Farm Bureau’s annual Lobby Day in Albany in late February.

Our Future Farmers of America chapter officers recently returned from a trip to Albany, where they were invited by the Wyoming County Farm Bureau to participate in its annual Lobby Day, which serves as an opportunity to build relationships with state lawmakers and convey teh agriculture industry's legislative priorities for the coming year. 

On the first night of the two-day trip, Attica FFA officers Larissa Hyman (president), Erika Conrad (vice president), Madelyn King (treasurer) and Brooke Luck (reporter) assisted Wyoming County Farm Bureau representatives Alton Rudgers, Dwight Hess and Brian Parker in setting up Wyoming County's display at the annual Taste of New York Reception. 

“This event is held at the Convention Center and is designed to showcase the many agricultural products that are produced throughout New York State,” said Michelle Barber, an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor who accompanied her officers on the trip. “Nearly every county brings New York-grown items for attendees to sample and the event generally draws in more than 200 legislators, staffers and members of the agricultural community. The Wyoming County table offered several flavors of Intense Milk from Upstate Milk Cooperative, samples of chips from New York Chips out of Gainesville and bread and cheese from East Hill Creamery in Perry.”

The next day, Attica officers visited with state legislators  who represent Wyoming County as well as senators and assembly members whose districts don’t have their own county farm bureaus. 

“Students participated in discussions that focused on a long list of agriculture-related bills, current laws and some of the challenges that face the ag industry,” said Barber. “They spent time speaking with Assemblyman David DiPietro, Assemblyman Chris Euchas and staff members of Assemblyman Patrick Gallivan.  We also met with Senator Robert Ortt and staff members of Senators George Borrello and Iwen Chu.”

Photo courtesy of Michelle Barber
Attica Future Farmers of America Chapter Officers Madelyn King, Brooke Luck, Erika Conrad and Larissa Hyman are pictured at the New York State Farm Bureau’s annual Lobby Day in Albany in late February.

Photo courtesy of Michelle Barber
Attica Future Farmers of America Chapter Officers Madelyn King, Brooke Luck, Erika Conrad and Larissa Hyman and agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor Michelle Barber are pictured at the New York State Farm Bureau’s annual Lobby Day in Albany in February.

Photo courtesy of Michelle Barber
Attica Future Farmers of America Chapter Officers Madelyn King, Brooke Luck, Erika Conrad and Larissa Hyman are pictured at the New York State Farm Bureau’s annual Lobby Day in Albany in February.

Photos courtesy of Michelle Barber
Attica Future Farmers of America Chapter Officers Madelyn King, Brooke Luck, Erika Conrad and Larissa Hyman are pictured with Wyoming County Farm Bureau Representatives Brian Parker, Alton Rudgers and Dwight Hess at the New York State Farm Bureau’s annual Lobby Day in Albany last month. 

Photos courtesy of Michelle Barber
Attica Future Farmers of America Chapter Officers Madelyn King, Brooke Luck, Erika Conrad and Larissa Hyman are pictured at the New York State Farm Bureau’s annual Lobby Day in Albany in February.

Photo courtesy of Michelle Barber
Attica Future Farmers of America Chapter Officers Madelyn King, Brooke Luck, Erika Conrad and Larissa Hyman are pictured with New York State FFA officers at the New York State Farm Bureau’s annual Lobby Day in Albany last month.