Legislative Commission on Rural Resources
@ruralnys.bsky.social
Albany's only independent body focused on the needs of rural New York.
Chair: @RachelMayNY.bsky.social
Chair: @RachelMayNY.bsky.social
(1/2) More news on innovative agriculture happening in NYS! Last week @governor.ny.gov announced $3 million in awards for the Grow-NY International Food and Agriculture Business Competition.
Governor Hochul Announces Round Seven Winners of the Grow-NY International Food and Agriculture Business Competition
Seven Global Startups to Receive $3 Million Total for Transforming the Future of Food and Farming, Including $1 Million Grand Prize
www.grow-ny.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:45 PM
(1/2) More news on innovative agriculture happening in NYS! Last week @governor.ny.gov announced $3 million in awards for the Grow-NY International Food and Agriculture Business Competition.
(1/2) Congrats to @sunyofficial.bsky.social Cobleskill for launching their new Agritech Center yesterday!
SUNY Agritech Center Launched at SUNY Cobleskill
SUNY Chancellor King visited SUNY Cobleskill on Monday to announce the launch of the SUNY Agritech Center to support New York’s farm workforce and promote the use of emerging technologies in...
www.suny.edu
November 20, 2025 at 3:10 PM
(1/2) Congrats to @sunyofficial.bsky.social Cobleskill for launching their new Agritech Center yesterday!
(1/3) Meeting our conservation goals serves several purposes: increasing climate resilience; protecting natural resources, including air and water; preserving biodiversity and farmland; expanding public access to nature; and safeguarding the character of our rural areas.
Open Space Conservation Grant
The purpose of this grant program is to support land conservation with funded through New York State's Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 (Bond Act) and the Environm...
dec.ny.gov
November 19, 2025 at 8:46 PM
(1/3) Meeting our conservation goals serves several purposes: increasing climate resilience; protecting natural resources, including air and water; preserving biodiversity and farmland; expanding public access to nature; and safeguarding the character of our rural areas.
(1/2) Harmful algal blooms (HABs) represent a growing threat to public health and local economies. Back in May, the Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation held a hearing to evaluate New York's existing policies meant to combat HABs and determine where we go from here.
November 17, 2025 at 6:05 PM
(1/2) Harmful algal blooms (HABs) represent a growing threat to public health and local economies. Back in May, the Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation held a hearing to evaluate New York's existing policies meant to combat HABs and determine where we go from here.
(1/2) @governor.ny.gov recently announced a memo of agreement between DEC and the Office of the AG to streamline the process for acquiring open spaces for land conservation.
www.governor.ny.gov/news/governo...
www.governor.ny.gov/news/governo...
Governor Hochul and Attorney General James Announce Landmark Agreement to Expedite Permanent Protection of Natural Resources
Governor Hochul and New York Attorney General James announced a landmark agreement to modernize the process to secure and protect critical open spaces statewide.
www.governor.ny.gov
November 12, 2025 at 8:42 PM
(1/2) @governor.ny.gov recently announced a memo of agreement between DEC and the Office of the AG to streamline the process for acquiring open spaces for land conservation.
www.governor.ny.gov/news/governo...
www.governor.ny.gov/news/governo...
Reposted by Legislative Commission on Rural Resources
I’m introducing legislation to address the Federal Government's announcement that SNAP benefits won't be distributed in November. School districts are uniquely positioned to fight hunger by providing food to take home, ensuring families stay nourished if SNAP benefits are cut now or in the future.
October 31, 2025 at 6:24 PM
I’m introducing legislation to address the Federal Government's announcement that SNAP benefits won't be distributed in November. School districts are uniquely positioned to fight hunger by providing food to take home, ensuring families stay nourished if SNAP benefits are cut now or in the future.
(1/2) @governor.ny.gov 's state of emergency announcement today includes $25 million in new funding for the Nourish NY Program, which supplies surplus agricultural products to populations who need them through the State’s network of food relief organizations.
www.governor.ny.gov/news/governo...
www.governor.ny.gov/news/governo...
Governor Hochul Declares State of Emergency and Initiates New Actions in Response to Trump Administration Cutting Off Food Assistance to Nearly 3 Million New Yorkers Starting November 1
Governor Hochul declared a state of emergency and announced new actions in response to the Trump administration stripping food assistance from 3 million New Yorkers come November 1.
www.governor.ny.gov
October 30, 2025 at 6:37 PM
(1/2) @governor.ny.gov 's state of emergency announcement today includes $25 million in new funding for the Nourish NY Program, which supplies surplus agricultural products to populations who need them through the State’s network of food relief organizations.
www.governor.ny.gov/news/governo...
www.governor.ny.gov/news/governo...
(1/2) Most often, farmers markets pop up in city centers, far away from the rural communities where the food is grown. Last month @governor.ny.gov signed a bill allowing farmers markets to set up in our state parks...
The law is designed to expand access to fresh food while supporting local farms and community health.
New law opens New York’s state parks to farmers markets
The law is designed to expand access to fresh food while supporting local farms and community health.
bit.ly
October 28, 2025 at 1:48 PM
(1/2) Most often, farmers markets pop up in city centers, far away from the rural communities where the food is grown. Last month @governor.ny.gov signed a bill allowing farmers markets to set up in our state parks...
The NYS Association for Rural Health is hosting a free webinar this Thursday, 10/30, about the Comptroller's report on rural New York's healthcare workforce shortages. Use the link below to register and save your spot!
nysarh.wildapricot.org/event-633968...
nysarh.wildapricot.org/event-633968...
NYSARH - Comptroller Report On Rural Health Workforce Shortages
nysarh.wildapricot.org
October 27, 2025 at 1:42 PM
The NYS Association for Rural Health is hosting a free webinar this Thursday, 10/30, about the Comptroller's report on rural New York's healthcare workforce shortages. Use the link below to register and save your spot!
nysarh.wildapricot.org/event-633968...
nysarh.wildapricot.org/event-633968...
(1/2) NY Ag. and our schools have important roles to play in addressing food insecurity with healthy, fresh, local foods. Thank you to the Comptroller's office for making suggestions on how to get more NY products into our school meals!
October 22, 2025 at 6:48 PM
(1/2) NY Ag. and our schools have important roles to play in addressing food insecurity with healthy, fresh, local foods. Thank you to the Comptroller's office for making suggestions on how to get more NY products into our school meals!
@adirondackexplorer.bsky.social is hosting a free event on 11/6 at SUNY Plattsburgh that will feature a panel about harmful algal blooms in Lake Champlain. Register at the link below to learn about past efforts and what can be done to improve water quality!
www.eventbrite.com/e/lake-champ...
www.eventbrite.com/e/lake-champ...
Lake Champlain water quality: The fight to control harmful algal blooms
Lake Champlain panel examines stubborn algal bloom problem and decades of efforts to control phosphorus pollution in the watershed.
www.eventbrite.com
October 17, 2025 at 6:35 PM
@adirondackexplorer.bsky.social is hosting a free event on 11/6 at SUNY Plattsburgh that will feature a panel about harmful algal blooms in Lake Champlain. Register at the link below to learn about past efforts and what can be done to improve water quality!
www.eventbrite.com/e/lake-champ...
www.eventbrite.com/e/lake-champ...
Planning for retirement can be intimidating, especially for those in our ag communities. If you're interested in learning about retirement options that work best for farm businesses, FarmNet is hosting a free webinar on the topic on 10/8. Register at the link below!
cornell.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
cornell.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: NY FarmNet Free Webinar: Retirement Accounts for Farmers. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
Most farmers don’t have retirement savings outside the farm. That makes it tough to retire and even harder to pass the farm on. This webinar will show you why retirement accounts matter, how even smal...
cornell.zoom.us
September 29, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Planning for retirement can be intimidating, especially for those in our ag communities. If you're interested in learning about retirement options that work best for farm businesses, FarmNet is hosting a free webinar on the topic on 10/8. Register at the link below!
cornell.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
cornell.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
The Environmental Facilities Corporation is hosting two upcoming webinars on 10/8 and 10/31 to help municipalities access water infrastructure funding, with a focus on small, rural, and disadvantaged communities.
Register here: efc.ny.gov/CAT
Register here: efc.ny.gov/CAT
Community Assistance Teams
Does your community have water infrastructure that is outdated or in need of repair? EFC's Community Assistance Teams can help.
efc.ny.gov
September 26, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The Environmental Facilities Corporation is hosting two upcoming webinars on 10/8 and 10/31 to help municipalities access water infrastructure funding, with a focus on small, rural, and disadvantaged communities.
Register here: efc.ny.gov/CAT
Register here: efc.ny.gov/CAT
(1/2) On Wednesday we were in Geneva for the New York State Association for Rural Health Summit. Rural Resources Chair Senator Rachel May and Co-Chair Assemblymember Anna Kelles participated in a policy panel where they discussed the state of rural health care and New York's path forward.
September 19, 2025 at 3:29 PM
(1/2) On Wednesday we were in Geneva for the New York State Association for Rural Health Summit. Rural Resources Chair Senator Rachel May and Co-Chair Assemblymember Anna Kelles participated in a policy panel where they discussed the state of rural health care and New York's path forward.
(1/3) We had a really strong start to the week in Syracuse with the NYS Community Schools Thruway Coalition at the Rural Summit for Cradle to Career Success!
August 14, 2025 at 3:41 PM
(1/3) We had a really strong start to the week in Syracuse with the NYS Community Schools Thruway Coalition at the Rural Summit for Cradle to Career Success!
(1/2) @governor.ny.gov recently announced $30 million for septic system replacement. The announcement comes with a higher reimbursement rate (75%) for installing advanced septic systems up to $25,000.
www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/law-...
www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/law-...
New York homeowners can get $25,000 septic system rebates
State boosts funding and reimbursement amount for homeowners who upgrade failing septic systems near priority lakes and rivers
www.adirondackexplorer.org
July 30, 2025 at 1:50 PM
(1/2) @governor.ny.gov recently announced $30 million for septic system replacement. The announcement comes with a higher reimbursement rate (75%) for installing advanced septic systems up to $25,000.
www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/law-...
www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/law-...
(1/2) Last Friday we took a trip up to North Creek to attend the Adirondack North Country Association Annual Meeting. It was inspiring to hear about their progress on different programs and initiatives from supporting small businesses to clean energy to equity.
July 29, 2025 at 2:01 PM
(1/2) Last Friday we took a trip up to North Creek to attend the Adirondack North Country Association Annual Meeting. It was inspiring to hear about their progress on different programs and initiatives from supporting small businesses to clean energy to equity.
(1/3) We were just up in Lake Placid at the Rural Schools Association's Annual Summer Conference, and our very own Corey Mosher received the Leader of the Year Award! The award is given to individuals whose contributions to rural life and education in NY set an example for other leaders to follow.
July 15, 2025 at 6:08 PM
(1/3) We were just up in Lake Placid at the Rural Schools Association's Annual Summer Conference, and our very own Corey Mosher received the Leader of the Year Award! The award is given to individuals whose contributions to rural life and education in NY set an example for other leaders to follow.
We're looking forward to this event in August as a way to engage with and elevate rural community schools stakeholders! Attendance is free, and you can find more information and register here:
www.thruwaycoalition.org/cradle-to-ca...
www.thruwaycoalition.org/cradle-to-ca...
June 24, 2025 at 5:49 PM
We're looking forward to this event in August as a way to engage with and elevate rural community schools stakeholders! Attendance is free, and you can find more information and register here:
www.thruwaycoalition.org/cradle-to-ca...
www.thruwaycoalition.org/cradle-to-ca...
(1/2) Rural Resources Chair @rachelmayny.bsky.social recently sat down for an interview with Spectrum where she discussed the diversity of her district, which includes the city of Syracuse and all of Cayuga County, and ways to connect rural and urban communities.
State Sen. Rachel May on housing, water quality, tourism and more
May represents the 48th District which includes Syracuse, Auburn and part of the Finger Lakes.
spectrumlocalnews.com
June 23, 2025 at 1:59 PM
(1/2) Rural Resources Chair @rachelmayny.bsky.social recently sat down for an interview with Spectrum where she discussed the diversity of her district, which includes the city of Syracuse and all of Cayuga County, and ways to connect rural and urban communities.
(1/3) We attended Cayuga Milk Ingredients' grand opening on their expansion project and left feeling really inspired!
June 20, 2025 at 6:35 PM
(1/3) We attended Cayuga Milk Ingredients' grand opening on their expansion project and left feeling really inspired!
(1/2) We spent yesterday morning at the New York Fashion Innovation Center's Annual Meeting listening to experts on plant and animal fiber (and some representatives from Empire State Development) discuss ways to advance these industries in New York.
June 18, 2025 at 2:41 PM
(1/2) We spent yesterday morning at the New York Fashion Innovation Center's Annual Meeting listening to experts on plant and animal fiber (and some representatives from Empire State Development) discuss ways to advance these industries in New York.
(1/2) LEAD NY just announced the newest members of their leadership development program!
Wishing all of the new members in the 21st class nothing but the best, and we look forward to hearing about all of the great things that you're doing now and will continue to do into the future!
Wishing all of the new members in the 21st class nothing but the best, and we look forward to hearing about all of the great things that you're doing now and will continue to do into the future!
June 16, 2025 at 8:38 PM
(1/2) LEAD NY just announced the newest members of their leadership development program!
Wishing all of the new members in the 21st class nothing but the best, and we look forward to hearing about all of the great things that you're doing now and will continue to do into the future!
Wishing all of the new members in the 21st class nothing but the best, and we look forward to hearing about all of the great things that you're doing now and will continue to do into the future!
(1/3) We are proud to say that last week, our Municipal Jobs Bill, (S.7237A, Senator May/A.8023A, Assemblywoman Kassay) passed both houses unanimously!
June 16, 2025 at 6:07 PM
(1/3) We are proud to say that last week, our Municipal Jobs Bill, (S.7237A, Senator May/A.8023A, Assemblywoman Kassay) passed both houses unanimously!
Today is the last day of the legislative session for the Senate, and we are distributing hard copies of our summary of the '25-'26 NYS Budget.
To get more information and download the electronic version, go here:
www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/pre...
To get more information and download the electronic version, go here:
www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/pre...
June 12, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Today is the last day of the legislative session for the Senate, and we are distributing hard copies of our summary of the '25-'26 NYS Budget.
To get more information and download the electronic version, go here:
www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/pre...
To get more information and download the electronic version, go here:
www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/pre...