Hochul meets a snake

With politics and government believed by many to be loaded with ‘snakes in the grass,’ Gov. Kathy Hochul got a chance to meet and interact with a real boa constrictor during her August 28 visit to the New York State Fair in Syracuse. The snake remained friendly as it draped itself over Hochul and snake handler Billy Sullivan, a regional wildlife technician for the state’s Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. There are many types of animals on exhibit at the fair, ranging from wildlife to farm animals.

While at the fair, Hochul signed three pieces of legislation expanding resources and protections for the state’s agricultural industry. One new law benefits the state’s maple syrup producers by allowing the leasing of state land to be used for sap production and tree tapping for ten years.

The second new law allows licensed farm wineries to use apples grown outside of New York state in the manufacture or sale of state-labeled cider when needed due to a loss of apple crops grown in New York.

The third piece of legislation signed into law at the fair by the governor establishes the Beginning Farmer Advisory Board on Agriculture. The board would help promote the entry of new farmers into the state’s agriculture scene as older farmers retire.

“As we celebrate the State Fair, we recognize that New York’s agriculture is a central component to our state’s economy,” Hochul said. “With the signing of this legislation, we continue our mission to uplift this community and prove we are here to support them every step of the way.”

Hochul characterized the State Fair as a huge attraction for drawing people to visit the Syracuse area and revealed that new statistics show that a record setting 306 million visitors came to New York state last year, spending $88 billion. The fair opened August 21 and remains open through Labor Day, Sept. 2.