CORTLAND, N.Y. -- How to help rural communities thrive was the focus of a roundtable discussion in Cortland.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) met with dairy farmers and producers at the Byrne Hollow Yogurt Plant Friday.

She listened to what the local agricultural community had to say about the fast approaching 2018 Farm Bill.

"They're really worried about immigration, their workers are not being protected," Gillibrand said. "In fact, ICE is rounding them up and sending them home, when they are needed to help us milk our dairy cows, to run our farms, and so we need common sense reform."

Another concern farmers brought to the roundtable centered on the effect of climate change on New York State's growing season.