Relates to the beginning farmer revolving loan fund program

20 Co-sponsors

• John J. Bonacic
• Thomas Croci
• John A. DeFrancisco
• Hugh T. Farley
• Patrick M. Gallivan
• Joseph A. Griffo
• William J. Larkin Jr.
• George Latimer
• Kenneth P. LaValle
• Betty Little
• Kathleen A. Marchione
• Michael F. Nozzolio
• Thomas F. O'Mara
• Robert Ortt
• Marc Panepinto
• Michael H. Ranzenhofer
• Joseph E. Robach
• James L. Seward
• David J. Valesky
• Catharine Young

BILL NUMBER:S1793

Title of bill

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to the beginning farmer revolving loan fund program

Purpose

To establish a beginning farmer revolving loan fund program within the Agriculture and Markets Law.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends Section 328 of the Agriculture and Markets Law to define the term "beginning farmer." Section 2 adds a new Subdivision 330-a to the Agriculture and Markets law to create the beginning farmer revolving loan fund program. Section 3 provides for the effective date.

Existing law

Article 25-AAAA of the Agriculture and Markets law was enacted to promote the agriculture industry in New York, an industry which has a substantial impact on the overall economic health and wellbeing of our state. State farms preserve approximately 7.7 million acres of open space as working landscapes, thus contributing to the overall quality of the state's environment. Preserving farmland as a working agricultural landscape provides open space benefits for all residents of the state, and maintains the land as a natural habitat for animals. Additionally, properly managed farmland has been demonstrated to be the best environmental usage of land for watershed protection. For these reasons, it is in the best interest of the state to promote agricultural uses of the state's lands. While numerous other revolving loan programs exist under New York law, a revolving loan program for beginning farmers does not currently exist.

Justification

New York state law provides revolving loan programs for many other groups, to incentivize residents of the state to take up a certain profession. Taking steps to recruit young, new, and beginning farmers to the agricultural profession is certainly one area in need of incentives such as a revolving loan fund program.

Agriculture is the leading industry in New York yet, New York's farm community is aging and it has become increasingly difficult to attract young people to farming and to encourage them to consider a farming career. The average age of farm operators in New York is 59, and is expected to continue to increase unless steps are taken to reverse this trend. The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture has set a goal of recruiting 100,000 new farmers across the country to replace those who are retiring. By enacting a revolving loan fund program for beginning farmers, New York can take one small step at helping that recruitment effort.

Farming is a difficult business and there are many barriers to beginning farmers who might otherwise consider entering the profession. The agricultural industry has a substantial impact on the

overall economic health and wellbeing of the state, and it is in the best interest of the state to ensure that enough producers are recruited and retained in agricultural production. Additionally, the recent increase in demand for quality fresh locally grown foods and beverages highlight the importance of assisting new farmers to enter the profession.

Legislative history

2013-2014: S.6880-A/ A.9288-A

Fiscal implications

This bill is subject to funds being appropriated for the purposes of the program.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law. Provided, however, that any rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made on or before such date.