What's happening
This bill creates a Young Farmer Advisory Board to advise New York State on policies and programs affecting young and aspiring farmers.
Why it matters
Gives young farmers a direct voice in state policy. by formally connecting them to state agencies, ensuring that the unique challenges and perspectives of farmers under 45 are heard in government decisions.
Focuses on real, active farmers. , as at least half of each member’s income must come from agriculture, making the board more representative of the current farming community rather than industry lobbyists or non-practicing stakeholders.
Addresses both rural and urban agriculture. by requiring representation from urban farmers, potentially influencing policies that support diverse forms of agriculture across New York State.
Mandates annual public reports and communication. with state leaders, raising the profile of young and beginning farmers’ issues and creating an ongoing feedback loop that could shape future agricultural programs and economic development efforts.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Create Young Farmer Board
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Signed chap.129
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.536
- Substituted for A6042
- Referred to agriculture
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.179
Show 1 earlier action
- 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.
Create Young Farmer Board
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor William Magee
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4021
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 2, 2017
Introduced by Sen. RITCHIE -- 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, in relation to establishing a young farmer agriculture advisory board
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new section 309-a to read as follows:
§ 309-a. Young farmer advisory board on agriculture. 1. There shall be established within the department the young farmer advisory board on agriculture, to advise and make recommendations to the state agencies on state government plans, policies and programs affecting agriculture, as outlined below, and in such areas as its experience and studies may indicate to be appropriate. The department shall provide necessary secretariat and support services to the board.
2. The young farmer advisory board on agriculture shall consist of twenty members, ten to be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate and assembly, selected for their experience and expertise related to areas of board responsibility. The board shall be comprised of diverse members of the agriculture industry as follows:
(a) Of the twenty members appointed to the board:
(1) one shall be from the department;
(2) one shall be from the empire state development corporation;
(3) one shall be an officer of the Future Farmers of America (FFA);
(4) one shall be an urban farmer;
(5) one shall be from the New York Farm Bureau; and
(6) fifteen shall be from the general public appointed as follows: five to be appointed by the temporary president of the senate, five to be appointed by the speaker of the assembly, and five to be appointed by the governor.
(b) Each member shall:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09202-03-7
S. 4021 2
(1) be interested in the preservation and development of agriculture and preservation of the agricultural way of life in New York;
(2) be under the age of forty-five years old at the beginning of the member's term;
(3) derive at least fifty percent of the member's personal income from farming or agricultural activities in the state;
(4) be a resident of the state; and
(5) be appointed for a term of three years and may serve until their successors are chosen; provided, however, that of the members first appointed, six shall serve for a term of one year, six shall serve for a term of two years and eight shall serve for a term of three years.
(c) Members shall serve without salary but shall be entitled to reimbursement of their ordinary and necessary travel expenses.
(d) The members of the board shall meet quarterly.
3. The duties and responsibilities of the young farmer advisory board on agriculture shall include, but not be limited to:
(a) annually electing from its members a chairperson, a vice chairperson, and a secretary of the advisory board at the advisory board's first meeting of the calendar year;
(b) communicating to the general public, the federal government, and the state government the importance of young and beginning farmers to agriculture in the state;
(c) identify issues relating to young and beginning farmers in the state and provide timely advice to the commissioner, the governor and the relevant state agencies, with regard to the promotion of agriculture as a career path and the economic development of young and aspiring farmers;
(d) produce an annual report and provide such report to the governor, the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly on or before the end of each calendar year. Such report shall identify and prioritize policy issues which affect young and aspiring farmers; and
(e) establish committees, as necessary, to develop projects relating to the aspects of life for young and beginning farmers in the state.
§ 2. 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, in relation to establishing a young farmer agriculture advisory board
Purpose
To establish a young farmer agriculture advisory board designed to advise and make recommendations on policies and programs affecting agriculture.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 establishes the role of the young farmer agriculture advisory board, and directs the department of Agriculture and Markets to provide necessary secretariat and support services to the board. This section also provides the structure of the young farmer advisory board, specifically, requiring the board to consist of 20 members to be appointed by the Governor, the Senate and the Assembly. Further, this section sets forth requirements ensuring that the board is comprised of diverse members of the agriculture industry. Lastly, this section provides duties and responsibilities of the board, as well term limits for the members.
Section 2 provides the effective date.
Justification
In 5 years, there will be 100,000 young farmers needed nationally, and in New York, the average age of a farmer is 57. Young and beginning farmers play a fundamental role in the future success and growth of New York farms, as such it is imperative that we continue to support the growth and success of their
This act establishes the young farmers agriculture advisory board in an effort to invest in the future farmers of this state. The young farmers agriculture advisory board shall consist of 20 members commissioned to advise and make recommendations to the Legislation on policies and programs directly affecting their future successes in agriculture.
Legislative history
New Bill
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.