‘More and more difficult for families’: Number of family farms in NYS shrinking [Video]

LINWOOD, NY — According to the2022 Agriculture Census, more and more farms in New York State are shutting down due to high production and labor costs.

New York State experienced a 9% drop in dairy farms, the most significant decrease in three decades.

One farm in Linwood is working hard to keep the family legacy alive.

“Our farm’s here in Linwood, New York. We are a seventh-generation dairy farm we have roots that date back to the early 1800s,” said Jack Klapper, co-owner of Noblehurst Farms.

The farm is home to 2,000 dairy cows, and at 26 years old, Klapper is dedicating his life to his family’s farm.

“Hopefully one be able to one day pass it on down to the next generation here at the farm and see this farm be in business for many generations to come,” said Klapper.

Klapper’s siblings have chosen to leave agriculture, and he tells me if this decrease continues across the state, we could all …