Agriculture in New York State: A Preliminary Report.

Symposium participants concentrated on maintaining the economic viability of agriculture through improved agribusiness techniques including increased individual and collective marketing strategies and greater responsiveness to consumer demands. Related problems were decline of roads and bridges, competition with nonagricultural users for rural resources, and bureaucratic barriers to agricultural progress. Trends indicated declines in agricultural production, farm income, and number and size of farms and increases in direct marketing by farmers, debt-to-asset ratios, and property taxes. Among the strengths noted were low land prices, abundant resources and effective conservation practices, access to capital, human, and information resources, legislative support, and a strong agriculture-related economy. Goals centered around production, processing, and marketing improvements; preservation and expansion of the agricultural land base; and financial and regulatory policies conducive to agricultural development. Appended lists, maps, and charts reflect supporting data relative to population growth, land use and agricultural acreage, farm income and farm product sales, patterns of food consumption and expenditures, and agricultural employment. (MM)