WCDO Radio News

Governor Cuomo announced an open solicitation for farmers, businesses and research institutions interested in growing and processing industrial hemp as part of the State's Industrial Hemp Pilot Program. There are now more than 20 partners in the State's pilot program licensed to grow industrial hemp on approximately 2,000 acres in New York State compared to 30 acres planted in 2016. New York producers, businesses and universities interested in participating in the Program can apply at agriculture.ny.gov. The open solicitation ends on November 22, 2017.

Governor Cuomo announced that the members of the U.S. Climate Alliance, which is a coalition of 15 states and Puerto Rico, that are committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, are on track to meet and possibly exceed their portion of U.S. commitment under the Paris Agreement that the Trump Administration recently backed out of:

(CUOMO 9-21-17)

The co-chairs of the U.S. Climate Alliance are Governor Cuomo, Governor Jerry Brown of California, and Governor Jay Inslee of Washington, along with former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

Governor Cuomo noted the importance of the state’s dairy industry, with June being celebrated as “Dairy Month”. Dairy accounts for ½ of the state's total agricultural income, New York is the 3rd leading producer of milk in the country and also the is now the largest producer of yogurt, cream cheese, sour cream and cottage cheese.   New York is a net supplier of milk to the Northeast region, with 2.8 billion pounds of milk shipped from farms to out of state plants in New England, Pennsylvania and New Jersey; the state has also experienced a 16.4% increase in dairy-related employment from 2010 to 2013.

Governor Cuomo announced a wager with California Governor Jerry Brown on the matchup between the New York Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings in the Stanley Cup Final. If the Rangers win, Governor Brown will send Governor Cuomo the book “California: A History” by Kevin Starr and Lundberg Organic Brown Rice Cakes. If the Kings win, Governor Cuomo will send Governor Brown: A Taste NY Gift Basket, featuring products from businesses across the state, and a commemorative hockey puck from the 2013 "Hat Trick" of three on-time budgets in a row. Game one is tonight in Los Angeles.