Makes provisions relating to retail farm operations

4 Co-sponsors

• Terry Gipson
• Thomas F. O'Mara
• Patty Ritchie
• David J. Valesky

BILL NUMBER:S4332 REVISED 4/15/13

Title of bill

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to retail farm operations

Purpose

To enhance farmers, ability to market their farm, food and other products directly to consumers through encouragement of the development of retail farm operations such as roadside stands and on-farm markets.

Summary of provisions

Sections 301 and 308 of the Agriculture and Markets Law is amended to allow for recognition of retail farm operations as a farm operation.

Justification

As the prices New York farmers receive for the products they produce continues to decline, our farms are increasingly surviving by incorporating direct-to-market strategies into their business plans. New York's agriculture industry is evolving from being simply commodity and production driven to being increasingly market driven. Selling directly to consumers via a retail farm operation allows farmers to take advantage of current market demand for fresh, local farm products and gives consumers access to quality, nutritious foods. This type of "interactive retail" caters to increasing public interest in the farm-to-food relationship and attracts new, potential consumers that would not otherwise visit a farm. This bill seeks to ensure that farmers who operate road-side stands and farm markets will have protection for their retail farm operations under the state's right-to-farm laws.

Legislative history

2012: S.793 PASSED SENATE; A.6262 Referred to Agriculture 2011: S.793 PASSED SENATE; A.6282 Referred to Agriculture 2009-2010: S.2435 REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE 2007-2008: S.4743 REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE 2005-2006: S.6605 PASSED SENATE 2003-2004: S.5297-8 PASSED SENATE; A.8546-B reported referred to Ways an Means committee

Fiscal implications

Undetermined.

Effective date

Effective immediately.