Includes farm land which includes agricultural amusements within provisions of law relating to agricultural districts

Title of bill

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to including farm land which includes agricultural amusements within provisions of law relating to agricultural districts

Purpose

To clarify that those portions of land used in support of a farm operation which include corn and hay bale mazes are eligible for the benefits' of the agricultural districts law.

Summary of provisions

Amends paragraph c of subdivision 4 of section 301 of the Agriculture and Markets Law to clarify that those portions of land used in support of a farm operation which include corn and hay bale mazes are eligible for the benefits of the agricultural districts law.

Justification

This state is home to some 38,000 farms encompassing roughly 7.8 million acres of cropland, pasture and woodlands from Erie County to Suffolk County. These farms produce nearly $3.1 billion annually in direct economic output and probably double or triple that in indirect economic benefits with the farming and food industry employing over 425,000 people. Given the enormous economic impact that agriculture has on the economy of this state we must do everything we can to ensure that our farmers survive.

Part of the way that farmers are surviving is by turning to, on a small scale, on farm, agritourism related activities including corn and hay bale mazes. The two main reasons are to generate additional revenue that helps offset the declining milk and crop prices as well as to bring people to the farm to learn about and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of agriculture. Both are important to our farmers, our rural economy and our open spaces as we all share the important goal of making sure our farmers can continue to produce the safe food supply we have come to expect. This bill simply seeks to clarify in statute that those portions of land used in support of a farm operation but which contain a corn maze or hay bale maze produced from crops grown on the farm are, in fact, eligible for the agricultural assessment as provided in the agricultural districts.

It is important to note that in drafting this bill it closely reflects a previous opinion issued by the Office of Real Property Services related to this very issue. While a small step, it will greatly assist our farmers with preserving their farms and farmland for generations to come.

Legislative history

S.3714-A/A.7126-A (2007/08) - Passed Senate, Reported from Assembly Agriculture Committee S.7572/A.9612-A (2006) - Passed Senate

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Immediately.