Alfred legislator is currently the Vice-Chairman of Allegany County
Belmont, NY – An Allegany County Legislator was recently named to a national policy steering
committee in Washington, D.C.
Legislator Brooke Harris (District V, Alfred), has been placed on the Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Steering Committee for the National Association of Counties (NACo). Founded in 1935, NACo serves
nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees across the United States. The
Association’s work includes advocating county priorities in federal policymaking, optimizing county and
taxpayer resources, and enhancing public understanding of county governments.
Harris will serve as Western New York’s only representative on NaCo’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Steering Committee. According to its website, the Committee is “Responsible for all matters pertaining
to USDA Agriculture, rural renewable energy development, research and extension, food safety, and
conservation programs.”
“I’m excited to serve on this committee,” Harris said. “Like it or not, more and more funding decisions
for rural areas are coming out of the federal government. It’s so important for counties like ours to have
a seat at the table, and it’s through associations like NACo that we little guys can have a unified and
powerful voice in Washington.”
Among his priorities on the Committee will be the protection of farmland from increased renewable
energy development. “No one will argue the importance of expanded renewable energy resources for
the future of our country,” Harris explained, “but that focus has to be paired with a commitment to
preserve and protect our farmland. Federal and state policymakers need to remember the importance
of agriculture in our communities, both as a critical industry and as a way of life.”
County Board Chairman Philip Stockin applauded the new role: The appointment of Legislator Brooke
Harris to NACO’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs Steering Committee is exceptional news. To have an
Allegany County Legislator sitting on this important national committee only enhances awareness
beyond our borders of our excellent county and its citizens. I am confident Legislator Harris will serve
well and offer much to committee discussions.”
Harris will serve the remainder of this 2021-2022 session, after which he will seek reappointment for
the next term.
