Legislators Vivian Viloria-Fisher and Dan LoSquadro are pleased to announce that
George Proios, the Chair of Suffolk County's Soil & Water Conservation District was recently elected as the
Chairman of the New York State Soil & Water Conservation Committee.
This State Committee sets policy and administers to all 58 County Soil & Water
Districts throughout the State, as well as overseeing $12 million dollars in agricultural non-point source funding
to help farmers trying to be better stewards of their lands.
Legislator Viloria-Fisher noted that George has been the only representative from Long Island to serve on this
State Agency and is the first non-farmer to be its Chairman since its creation over 60 years ago.
Joe Gergella, Executive Director of the Long Island Farm Bureau, and a Board Member
of Suffolk's local Soil & Water District said that the State could not have picked a better choice. George's
depth of knowledge in environmental and water quality issues, coupled with his
strong desire to preserve and protect both Suffolk County's and New York State's agricultural industry will be
a great asset to the State Committee.
