LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to declare
2014 as the Year of Family Farming in the State of New York

WHEREAS, Family Farming is a part of the foundation on which our
distinct American tradition is built; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memori-
alize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to declare 2014 as the Year of Family
Farming in the State of New York, in conjunction with the International
Year of Family Farming as declared by the United Nations; and
WHEREAS, Family Farming refers to agricultural communities encompass-
ing familial groups, indigenous clusters, and neighborhood cooperatives
engaged in the production of farm crops, livestock or marine aquacul-
ture; there are over 500 million of such farms worldwide; and
WHEREAS, The 2014 International Year of Family Farming is an initi-
ative promoted by the World Rural Forum and supported by over 360 civil
society and farmers' organizations; it was officially proclaimed by the
United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization and its General Assem-
bly; and
WHEREAS, The goal of the 2014 International Year of Family Farming
(IYFF) is to raise the profile of family farming by focusing world
attention on its significant role in eradicating hunger and poverty,
providing food security and nutrition, improving livelihoods, managing
natural resources, protecting the environment, and achieving sustainable
development, particularly in rural areas; and
WHEREAS, Family Farming links the past, present, and future through
passing on cultural traditions and agricultural know-how to the next
generation of farmers in different communities across the planet; and
WHEREAS, Tremendously important to world food security, they preserve
indigenous food products, while also contributing to a balanced diet and
safeguarding the world's agricultural biodiversity and the sustainable
use of natural resources; and
WHEREAS, Though representing close to 80 percent of all farm holdings,
family farms are highly vulnerable to many dangers including market
volatility and climate change; the majority of smallholders lack access
to lines of credit, technology, and resources; and
WHEREAS, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon has called on
governments to empower family farmers, especially women and young
people, by creating policies conducive to equitable and sustainable
rural development and investment; and
WHEREAS, Investing in family farms represents an opportunity to boost
agricultural production to feed a rising world population; it has the
potential to strengthen local economies, especially when combined with
specific policies aimed at social protection and well-being of communi-
ties; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body memorializes Governor Andrew M.
Cuomo to declare 2014 as the Year of Family Farming in the State of New
York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.