What's happening
This bill creates a two-year pilot project in Columbia and Dutchess counties to study and promote carbon sequestration through specific farming practices.
Why it matters
Supports science-based climate solutions. By studying real-world carbon sequestration on working farms, the pilot could generate valuable data to shape climate policy and inform future incentives for climate-friendly agriculture in New York and beyond.
Directly involves local farmers in innovation. The project funds and supports five commercial farms, encouraging them to adopt and test soil health practices—potentially lowering barriers for adoption and helping demonstrate practical benefits to the farming community.
Focuses on measurable environmental outcomes. Regular soil testing for carbon content and water holding capacity aims to provide concrete evidence of which practices are most effective, helping to refine best practices and ensure public resources are spent on proven methods.
May influence economic opportunities in rural areas. By potentially proving and promoting profitable climate-smart farming techniques (like composted manure and cover cropping), the project could open up new markets or cost-saving opportunities for local producers.
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Who cares
Columbia and Dutchess commercial farmers and orchard operators
Five farms would be selected through an open application process, with eligible reimbursement costs including composted manure and cover crop seed.
Columbia and Dutchess soil and water conservation districts
They would jointly administer the pilot, select participating farms and test soil carbon and water-holding capacity.
State soil and water conservation committee, DEC and Agriculture and Markets
They would help establish a pilot to study farming practices and develop recommendations to maximize carbon sequestration.
Composted manure suppliers
The pilot would require at least one farm to spread composted manure before planting cover crops and call for best efforts to buy manure from a single vendor or source.
Headline styles
Test Carbon Farming in Hudson Valley
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Vetoed memo.326
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.264
- Substituted for A11111
- Referred to ways and means
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1911
- Referred to rules
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.
Launch Carbon Farming Study
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Didi Barrett
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
9053
IN SENATE
June 15, 2018
Introduced by Sen. SERINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to authorize the state soil and water conservation committee to establish a Columbia/Dutchess carbon farming pilot project to study the carbon sequestration potential of a range of farming practices in Columbia and Dutchess counties; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The state soil and water conservation committee, in consultation with the department of environmental conservation and the department of agriculture and markets, shall establish a Columbia/Dutchess carbon farming pilot project to study the carbon sequestration potential of a range of farming practices. The goal of such project shall be to develop best practices recommendations to maximize the carbon sequestration of farming activities. The project shall, at a minimum, include any soil health practices already promoted by the state, as well as those determined by the soil and water conservation districts, the department of environmental conservation, and the department of agriculture and markets to be practicable and easily replicated.
§ 2. The carbon farming pilot project established pursuant to section one of this act shall be jointly administered by the soil and water conservation districts in both Columbia and Dutchess counties and shall be limited to five farms jointly selected pursuant to an open application process. Farms applying to participate in such pilot project must be engaged in the operation of a commercial farm or orchard. At least one participating farm shall utilize the practice of spreading of composted manure followed by planting of cover crops over the composted manure.
§ 3. The soil and water conservation districts of Columbia and Dutchess counties shall conduct baseline soil testing for carbon content at the beginning of the carbon farming pilot project and shall further conduct soil testing for carbon content and water holding capacity at intervals of six months for the duration of such pilot project. Farm
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD16061-02-8
S. 9053 2
costs eligible for reimbursement shall, at a minimum, include composted manure and cover crop seed. Best efforts shall be made to purchase composted manure from a single vendor or source for the duration of such pilot project.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed two years after such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to authorize the state soil and water conserva- tion committee to establish a Columbia/Dutchess carbon farming pilot project to study the carbon sequestration potential of a range of farm- ing practices in Columbia and Dutchess counties; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to develop best practices for maximizing carbon sequestration in soil through a two year carbon farming pilot project in Columbia and Dutchess counties.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Directs the state soil and water conservation committee, in consultation with the Departments of Environmental Conservation and Agriculture and Markets, to establish a carbon farming pilot project in Columbia and Dutchess counties.
Section 2: Limits the pilot to five farms jointly selected pursuant to an open application project, and requires the farms to be operating a commercial farm or orchard, and at least one must utilize the practice of spreading composted manure followed by planning of cover crops over the composted manure.
Section 3: Directs the soil and water conservation districts of Columbia and Dutchess to conduct baseline soil testing for carbon content and water holding capacity before the pilot begins and then in six month intervals. Also establishes farm costs eligible for reimbursement.
Section 4: Establishes the effective date.
Justification
New York State is home to an abundance of natural beauty and resources, and it is our duty to preserve and protect these resources. The state boasts over 7 million acres of farmland, and is a top five producer in the nation for several products, such as yogurt, apples, grapes and cheese.
Given the expanse of New York farms, there is a significant opportunity to utilize New York's farms not only to put food on our tables, but to help mitigate carbon emissions and their impact on climate change through the practice of carbon farming. Practices such as using cover crops during the off-season, replacing conventional tilling practices with no till or mulch farming, and use of compost can not only benefit the farms by improving biodiversity, increasing water holding capacity and restoring degraded soil, but can transform the land into a carbon sink, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
This legislation would establish a two-year carbon farming pilot program in Columbia and Dutchess counties, both boasting significant agricul- tural production within the state, in order to develop best practices recommendations for the utilization of carbon farming to benefit both our farms, and to help preserve our natural resources and protect the environment.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
Minimal.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed two years after such effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.