agriculture

“The workers don’t like it. It’s not going to be good for the farmers and it could potentially close a lot of our farms."

“Our farmers, our farmworkers are all getting collectively screwed right now by one-party Democratic rule."

The biggest concern is the pest’s potential economic impact on New York’s $300 million dollar wine and grape industry.

Advocates for the change said farm workers should have the same overtime standard as other workers.

The grant will protect nearly 12,000 acres of land, and 40 farms across the state were awarded funding.

“To drop the threshold to 40 hours over the next decade will be extremely difficult for farmers and farmworkers alike to absorb."

While lanternflies can stress trees, it appears they only kill grapevines and tree of heaven, also an invasive species, directly by feeding on them.

“When the threshold is at 60, many farms can make minor adjustments, pay a little overtime, get a few more workers, it works out.”

Agriculture is one of biggest sectors of New York State’s economy. Yet people of color are largely left out of it.

Possessing a voracious appetite, the biggest concerns with the spotted lanternfly are their impacts on fruit trees, maples, and especially on vineyards.