Senate Resolution No. 496 BY: Senator HINCHEY MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 17-23, 2025, as Agriculture Week in the State of New York WHEREAS, Hardworking American farmers provide New York State, the Nation, and much of the world with a safe, healthy, affordable, and abundant food supply; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 17-23, 2025, as Agriculture Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Agriculture Week; and WHEREAS, Agriculture Week recognizes and celebrates the abundance provided by agriculture; annually, producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, governmental agencies, and countless other organizations across America join to recognize the contributions of agriculture; and WHEREAS, Each American farm feeds 169 people, a dramatic increase from 25 people in the 1960s; quite simply, American agriculture is doing more and doing it better; as the world's population soars, there is an even greater demand for the food and fiber produced in the United States; and WHEREAS, Agriculture provides almost everything we eat, use, and wear daily; however, too few people truly understand this contribution; this is particularly the case in our schools where students may be exposed to agriculture only if they enroll in related vocational training; and WHEREAS, By building awareness, the Agriculture Council of America encourages young people to consider career opportunities in agriculture; and WHEREAS, The celebration of National Agriculture Week is in recognition of all the farmers who feed us and our families every day and the importance of agriculture as a vital industry and economic driver in New York State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 17-23, 2025, as Agriculture Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Agriculture Week, honoring and recognizing the important contributions of all branches of farming to the health, economic well-being, environment, beauty, and future of New York State; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.