The Catskill Chronicle

FERNDALE, NY (November 29, 2012) — New York State Commissioner of Agriculture Darrel Aubertine will address the current state of agriculture in NY on Tuesday, December 11 at 7:00 p.m. at the CVI Center in Ferndale.

The public is invited to meet the commissioner on his first visit to Sullivan County since his appointment.

Darrel J. Aubertine was appointed as the state’s 27^th Agriculture Commissioner by Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2011 and leads the NYS Department of Ag and Markets. He oversees the agency’s 500 employees who work to ensure a safe food supply, the conservation of productive lands and a vibrant agricultural industry in the state.

Aubertine has his roots in agriculture, having been born and raised on a small family dairy farm in Cape Vincent, NY where he worked over 35 years. Prior to taking state office, he chaired his local town council. Aubertine was elected three times to represent the 118^th Assembly District and later became a State Senator for the 48^th District. He was a strong advocate for farmers and rural, upstate citizens and chaired the Senate Agriculture Committee, as well as the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources. Aubertine continues to raise animals and grow crops on his sixth generation farm with his family.

The address will take place at the 98^thAnnual Meeting of Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Sullivan County, where Board of Directors and Program Committee members will be elected. Plans for the organization’s centennial celebration in 2014 will also be introduced. Space is limited, so call 845-292-6180 or email sullivan@cornell.edu to reserve a seat.

CCE Annual Meeting is being hosted by Sullivan Renaissance. Light refreshments will be served.