Picente Introduces Oneida County Dairy Farmer Action Plan

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente is unveiling a new plan to help local dairy farmers.

The Oneida County Dairy Farmer Sustainability Action Plan is the result of Picente's Dairy Farmer Forum that took place in May.

Picente says one of the goals of the plan is to develop a micro loan program for dairy farmers.  The plan also calls for establishing a comprehensive marketing plan to increase sales, production and job placement in the dairy industry.

Picente also wants to establish a committee of dairy farm experts that will provide expertise and aid to farmers and act as an advisory body to the County Executive.

"Our dairy farmers are struggling badly, and I refuse to sit idly by while this never-ending plight continues to drain them financially, physically and mentally," Picente said. "After listening to their concerns first-hand, we devised this plan with the goals of easing their burden through long-term planning; economic development and marketing; infrastructure, environment and safety improvements; education and training; and the creation of tax policy and a legislative agenda."

There are over 200 dairy farms in Oneida County with over 500 full-time employees.