What's happening
This bill expands the Beginning Farmers NY Fund by allowing grants for farmers with lower incomes, leased land improvements, and smaller award tiers.
Why it matters
Expands access for farmers with very low incomes. By allowing eligibility for those reporting less than $10,000 in annual farm income, the bill opens up grant opportunities to new farmers or those operating at the smallest scale, who previously may have been excluded.
Supports improvements on leased land. The bill allows grant funds to be used for capital improvements (like new structures or equipment) on land that the farmer leases, not just land they own. It also ensures farmers either retain ownership of or are compensated for improvements, addressing a common barrier for those unable to purchase land.
Introduces smaller, more flexible grant tiers. By creating award tiers below $15,000 and enabling single, up-front payments for grants of $5,000 or less, the program becomes more accessible for farmers needing modest support, reducing bureaucratic hurdles for small projects.
Addresses equity and entry barriers in farming. Collectively, these changes lower financial and practical barriers for beginning farmers, helping diversify New York’s agricultural community and making it easier for new entrants—particularly those with limited capital—to start and sustain farming operations.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Help Grants for New Farmers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Vetoed memo.226
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.415
- Substituted for A8007
- Referred to ways and means
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1398
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Reported and committed to finance
Show 1 earlier action
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
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.
Expand Grants for New Farmers
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Donna Lupardo
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5716
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 13, 2019
Introduced by Sen. METZGER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the urban development corporation act, in relation to the beginning farmers NY fund
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivisions 2, 3 and 5 of section 16-w of section 1 of chapter 174 of the laws of 1968 constituting the urban development corporation act, subdivision 2 as amended by section 1 of part W of chapter 58 of the laws of 2016 and subdivisions 3 and 5 as amended by section 1 of part FF of chapter 58 of the laws of 2015, are amended to read as follows:
2. The corporation shall consult with the department of agriculture and markets in order to establish such criteria governing the award of grants as authorized herein, as the corporation and such department deem necessary. Such criteria shall include, but not be limited to, farmers who have not produced an "agricultural product" as defined by section three hundred twenty-eight of the agriculture and markets law, for more than ten consecutive years, and who will materially and substantially participate in the production of an agricultural product within a region of the state. Such criteria shall also consider farm income and farm investments as necessary to accommodate beginning farmers reporting less than ten thousand dollars of annual farm income.
3. Appropriations to the beginning farmers NY fund may be used for the following purposes:
(a) to assist farmers in demonstrating innovative agricultural techniques including, but not limited to, organic farming and specialty crops.
(b) capital grants in accordance with a business plan to improve farm profitability. Upon completion of such business plan, recipients shall
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11676-01-9
S. 5716 2
be eligible for capital grants to enhance the profitability of farming operations, including on land under lease by the recipient. Such grants may be used for purposes including, but not limited to, the purchase of machinery or the construction or improvement of physical structures, including semi-permanent structures. Recipients of awards for construction or improvement of physical structures on land under lease by the award recipient, shall receive compensation for or retain ownership of such structures. Any capital grant shall be issued with a oneto-one match between the state and recipient.
5. The beginning farmers NY fund shall not invest an amount in any single beneficiary that is less than one thousand dollars or that exceeds fifty thousand dollars, subject to any exceptions to be established by guidelines of the corporation. The corporation shall establish award tiers to accommodate awards of less than fifteen thousand dollars. Awards of five thousand dollars or less shall be awarded in a single payment prior to project completion.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the urban development corporation act, in relation to the beginning farmers NY fund
Purpose or general idea of bill
To change the eligibility requirements for the for the Beginning Farm- er's NY fund, to enable more farmers to participate.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 - Section 16-w of the urban development corporation act is amended to include a consideration of the farm's income and investment if the farm's annual income is less than ten thousand dollars. Adds a requirement that leased land be considered for grants. This legislation also requires that tiers be established for grants less than $15,000.
Section 2 - Effective date.
Existing law
Under the current law, the corporation and the Department of Agriculture and Markets limit applicability of grants to farmers who have been farm- ing for less than ten consecutive years and who materially participate in the production of an agricultural product. Funds under this program may be used for technologies, capital projects such as physical struc- tures. Grants shall not exceed $50,000.
Justification
New York is home to over 35,000 farms, which generate over $4.8 billion in revenue. However, a recent USDA census found that New York has lost 2,100 farms since the last census was conducted in 2012. Many farmers struggle to find loans for the improvement of their farming operations. This program permits necessary funds to reach farmers who otherwise have limited access to necessary capital.
Prior legislative history
This is a new bill.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
To be determined
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the date when it shall have become law.'
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.