What's happening
This bill creates annual awards to recognize New York farms, businesses, and institutions for excellence in agriculture and food promotion.
Why it matters
Highlights and incentivizes innovation in New York’s agricultural sector. by recognizing not just traditional farming, but also agri-tourism, food processing, and the development of unique farm products—potentially encouraging new business models and product development.
Brings visibility to institutions like schools, hospitals, and senior centers. that prioritize local sourcing and healthy food service, possibly motivating more public institutions to support New York agriculture and improve food quality for vulnerable populations.
Fosters collaboration between agriculture and economic development authorities. , suggesting a more coordinated statewide effort to boost New York’s food economy, which may help streamline support for local businesses and farms.
Excludes current advisory board members and their businesses from eligibility. , aiming to ensure fairness and reduce potential conflicts of interest in the selection process for these prestigious recognitions.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Annual Awards for NY Farms
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by A4051
- Ordered to third reading cal.444
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to agriculture
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Reward Top New York Farms
Signed by Governor · Sponsor William Magee
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1333
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 9, 2017
Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law and the economic development law, in relation to annual awards recognizing certain New York farms, businesses and institutions
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 309 of the agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new subdivision 9 to read as follows:
9. a. The advisory council on agriculture shall advise the commissioner in establishing procedures for making annual awards recognizing New York farms, agricultural and food businesses, and institutions that are successful in producing, processing, marketing, and/or promoting New York farm and food products. The commissioner shall coordinate with the commissioner of economic development to determine which department shall make awards in categories that may be similar to those listed in subdivision eighteen-c of section one hundred of the economic development law. These awards shall be given in recognition of exceptional performance and support for New York agriculture by persons, firms and organizations that are principally located within the state of New York and engaged in the operation of New York state farms, businesses and institutions.
b. The council may annually nominate and forward such nominations for awards to the commissioner for his or her consideration in the following categories:
(i) innovative and unique farm products developed for food, beverages, or horticulture;
(ii) agri-tourism;
(iii) foods or beverages processed or manufactured from New York farm products;
(iv) retail food stores;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00489-01-7
S. 1333 2
(v) restaurants and other food service businesses; and
(vi) education, health care and residential institutions including, but not limited to, food service in schools, colleges, hospitals, nursing homes, day care and senior centers.
c. The council may also recommend to the commissioner nominations for awards given pursuant to subdivision eighteen-c of section one hundred of the economic development law.
d. The commissioner may designate award winners from these nominees at his or her discretion. Current members of the advisory board and their businesses are not eligible as nominees.
§ 2. Subdivision 18-c of section 100 of the economic development law, as added by chapter 212 of the laws of 1996, is amended to read as follows:
18-c. to establish, in cooperation with the commissioner of agriculture and markets, procedures for proposing nominations, including procedures to coordinate with such commissioner to determine which department shall make nominations for awards in categories that may be similar to those listed in subdivision nine of section three hundred nine of the agriculture and markets law to the governor for three annual, non-monetary awards to be known as: (a) New York State Direct Farm Marketing Award; (b) New York State Agri-Tourism Award; and (c) New York State Specialty Food Product Award. These awards shall be given in recognition of unusual efforts by farmers, food processors and food retailers for the marketing of New York state grown agricultural commodities or foods processed from or primarily containing New York state agricultural commodities and for promoting New York state farms that are also tourist destinations.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law and the economic development law, in relation to annual awards recognizing certain New York farms, businesses and institutions
Purpose
Would establish an agriculture and food awards program in the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and have the Commissioner coordinate with the Department of Economic Development on their award program.
Summary of provisions
The bill would amend the Agriculture and Markets Law to add a new subdivision 9 to § 309 to have the Advisory Council on Agriculture make award nominations to the Commissioner to recognize exceptional performance and success by New York farms, agricultural and food businesses, and institutions in producing, processing, marketing, and/or promoting New York farm and food products. The award categories would include: (a) innovative and unique farm products developed for food, beverages, or horticulture; (b) agritourism; (c) foods or beverages processed or manufactured from New York farm products;(d) retail food stores; (e) restaurants and other food service businesses; and, (f) education, health care and residential institutions. In addition to these awards, the Commissioner and Advisory Council would coordinate with the Department of Economic Development, which also has authority to recommend awards for New York farms and farm products.
The bill would also amend subdivision 18c of § 100 to have the Commissioner of Economic Development coordinate with the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets to determine which department shall make nominations for awards in categories that may be similar to those listed in subdivision nine of § 309 of the agriculture and markets law.
Justification
New York farmers, food processors and craft beverage producers are producing high quality foods and beverages that are often recognized nationally and internationally. These fruits and vegetables, craft cheeses, yogurts, ice creams, specialty meats, wines, beers, ciders and spirits, and dozens of other products deserve state recognition by our State government. This legislation would provide a mechanism for the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets to not only provide awards to the farmers, manufacturers and processors that produce these exceptional products using locally-sourced ingredients, but also the businesses that make a special effort to market and promote them. These awards could also be presented to restaurants, food retailers, and schools and colleges that feature and promote New York farm foods.
Legislative history
2015-16: S.7745/A.,9756 Referred to Agriculture A.9756 Passed Assembly
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.