by Donald R. Davidsen
Commissioner, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets

Horse farms are one of New York's most treasured resources. Governor George E. Pataki and I recognize the contributions of Thoroughbred horse farms and breeding operations to the economy and the rural esthetics of New York State.

Your industry provides jobs and open space, adds to the rustic beauty of the countryside and entertains us all at race tracks and horse shows. The Governor is working hard to ensure that the horse industry, along with all segments of agriculture in New York State, remain strong. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to help you with your bottom line.

For example, in just three years the Governor has:

• passed a $70 million farm property tax cut, which goes into effect this year;
  
• cut workers' compensation rates more than 25 percent;
  
• strengthened New York's agricultural district laws;
  
• significantly reduced energy costs for farms;
  
• passed new laws which give tax credits for restoration of historic barns, and,
  
• preserved thousands of acres of farmland for future generations.

The Governor and I are committed to agriculture and to New York's horsemen and horsewomen. Thoroughbred horse farms combine the unique attributes of an economically viable agricultural enterprise with an eye-pleasing use of open space.

Thoroughbred operations are welcome in almost every community because they normally take excellent care of their properties and the animal agricultural activities are largely non-offensive to rural and suburban neighbors. This provides a great contribution to the property tax base in these communities and wonderful active landscapes. However, they must be protected from development pressures.

The Governor's farmland protection program preserves farmland by purchasing development rights and conservation easements. Last year, three counties -- Suffolk, Washington, and Orange -- and five towns -- Pittsford, Amherst, South Hampton, Southold, and East Hampton -- were awarded $3.7 million to purchase conservation easements of farms facing development pressures.

Since 1995, when the Governor took office, 16 New York counties -- Chemung, Cortland, Dutchess, Erie, Essex, Monroe, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Otsego, Saratoga, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster and Wayne -- have received $719,000 state grant funds to prepare plans aimed at protecting farms.

This year the Governor has made another $4 million available for the purchase of farmland development rights. In addition, local governments can share in the funds available in the open space account of the Governor's Clean Water / Clean Air Bond Act to purchase farm conservation easements.

"We need to protect the future of our farms and farm vistas for the people of this state, our children and our grandchildren," Governor Pataki explained when he announced the funding for these programs last year. However, horse farms provide more than just the open space -- they also create jobs.

Economically-active Thoroughbred breeding farms generally have a 7 to 1 caregiver to animal ratio, which is much higher than other animal agricultural activities in the state. This provides excellent employment activities for those interested in entry level positions in agriculture and certainly for those with higher skill levels looking for employment opportunities.

The Department of Agriculture and Markets administers a number of job training programs. Because we recognize the value that horse farms provide to rural employment, we welcome the opportunity to develop new programs in conjunction with Cornell Cooperative Extension to specifically train workers in the Thoroughbred industry.

As stated earlier, the Governor and I both recognize the value of your industry to our state. This is why we are in the process of conducting the first New York State Equine Survey in 10 years, and only the third ever. This survey will also be part of the first nationwide census ever conducted to determine the size and value of our country's equine industry.

We need your cooperation in making sure that this important census is as accurate as possible. Many horsemen and horsewomen have, or will soon be, receiving a survey. Please take the time to fill it out. We will be publishing the results of the survey later this year. We are all looking forward to having an updated, detailed picture of the size of the equine industry and its value to the New York State economy.

The last time we surveyed your industry, in 1988, we learned there were a total of 182,000 horses in New York State. That survey also indicated that total equine related assets in New York were $3.73 billion, a staggering number.

Through this new survey we will receive the hard numbers to support what the Governor and I already know: The equine industry is an extremely valuable segment of agriculture in New York State.