Farmers, producers gather for dairy summit as state designates yogurt its official snack

Farmers, state officials and dairy industry experts are gathering at Cornell University for the 2014 Yogurt and Dairy Summit.

Wednesday's event focused on ways to help expand the growing industry.

Dean Norton, president of the New York Farm Bureau, says dairy farmers and yogurt makers are performing a "vital role" in the state's rural economy.

New York has the nation's third largest dairy industry and is the top yogurt producer, making 741 million pounds of yogurt last year.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo marked the event by signing legislation designating yogurt as the state's official snack.