Many buildings collapsed from the high volume of snow this winter that seemed to keep falling and stuck around.

Some farmers lost buildings they need for operations, and their problems may not be behind them.

Farmer Ben Simons is well connected with farmers across New York state, and after holding various titles, he now acts as an agricultural advocate while still managing his family farm.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture found the average age of U.S. farmers to be 58.1 years old.

Simons said that’s no different for local farmers and at that age, he expects many with collapses this winter to just retire.

“It's going to have a lasting effect for the next few years because there's going to be a lot of farmers are going to liquidate due to the buildings collapsing, the age of the farmer and just the stress of the whole thing. There's not very many young people coming into the agricultural business or industry," said Simons.

More than 100 farms in Oneida County, where he lives, experienced structure collapses this winter, he said.

As for impact, Simons said the harsh winter will be felt, but shortages and such shouldn’t be expected in grocery stores.

Moving forward, Simons urges caution as he said buildings tend to constrict and expand – similar to roads – so structural integrity could be compromised.

“Inspect your barn, and if you don't feel comfortable with what you see, call a carpenter or a contractor and have them come and inspect your buildings for you because everything in Central New York, basically north of Rome, all the way to St. Lawrence County, with that heavy snow, has been stressed right beyond anything that we have ever seen in our lifetime," said Simons.

Simons asked farmers to contact their local farm service agency in the county they live in and report any damage.

He hopes for help from the USDA, such as a disaster designation, to help unlock federal funds.

Simons spoke directly with Gov. Kathy Hochul about the devastation earlier this month.

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball joined state Sen. Joe Griffo in touring locations with collapses in Oneida County.

Hochul previously proposed numerous supportive measures for the agriculture industry in her State of the State Address.

Oneida County is working with the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority for reduced fees on disaster debris disposal.