Dec 09, 2008 — North Country Senator Darrel Aubertine has been tapped to chair the Senate Agriculture Committee. His position was the first to be announced at today's press conference with incoming Senate majority leader Malcolm Smith. Agriculture is one of the biggest sectors of New York's economy. Aubertine is the only active farmer in the state legislature. He owns a dairy farm in Cape Vincent in Jefferson County. Aubertine told David Sommerstein the post was his first choice for a leadership position. He said it allows him to help set the agenda for one of the biggest sectors of the state economy.