Hundreds of farmers from across New York and Long Island converged on the State Capitol on Monday urging legislators to back off on a series of measures that aim to drive more family farms out of business, killing local agriculture.

“We need to remind Albany that agriculture is the number one economic engine in upstate New York and eastern Long Island,” said Dean Norton, president of the New York Farm Bureau. “Our farm fields and barns are some of the only remaining businesses connecting New York’s cities, and we should be looking for ways to help local farms, not ways to destroy them.” “Albany has spent the past year increasing our taxes, increasing our fees, and debating bills that will turn our family farms into factories, and we are simply tired of it,” said Norton.

Farmers are asking for a defeat of the Farmworker Omnibus Labor bill, restoration of agriculture promotion in the state budget, roll backs on expensive fees and taxes from last year’s budget, and passage of the wine in grocery store bill to grow the wine industry and create new jobs.

“Farms produce local food, but we compete and take the prices in the global marketplace,” said Norton.“Local agriculture is struggling to compete with farms in South America, in one of the most expensive business climates in the nation.”

“It’s time for the state to stand up for family farms, and simply say no to the corporate unions who want to shut down agriculture like they’ve shut down manufacturing,” said Norton.

New York is the most expensive state in the nation to farm, according to the Bureau, with the highest taxes, fees, utility costs, insurance rates and regulatory restrictions.

“We are counting on our legislators from farming districts and our farm friendly leaders to help fight for our cause,” Norton said.“We’re all in it together, and everyone needs to care about the future of food production in New York, whether they represent upstate or Long Island farm country or the heart of New York City.”