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“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."
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“Our farmers, our farmworkers are all getting collectively screwed right now by one-party Democratic rule."
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The biggest concern is the pest’s potential economic impact on New York’s $300 million dollar wine and grape industry.
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Advocates for the change said farm workers should have the same overtime standard as other workers.
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The grant will protect nearly 12,000 acres of land, and 40 farms across the state were awarded funding.
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“To drop the threshold to 40 hours over the next decade will be extremely difficult for farmers and farmworkers alike to absorb."
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While lanternflies can stress trees, it appears they only kill grapevines and tree of heaven, also an invasive species, directly by feeding on them.
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“When the threshold is at 60, many farms can make minor adjustments, pay a little overtime, get a few more workers, it works out.”
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Agriculture is one of biggest sectors of New York State’s economy. Yet people of color are largely left out of it.
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Possessing a voracious appetite, the biggest concerns with the spotted lanternfly are their impacts on fruit trees, maples, and especially on vineyards.