(Albany, NY)- State Senator John J. Bonacic (R/C/I-Mt. Hope) joined with his colleagues today in passing a comprehensive package of bills that would strengthen and preserve agriculture as the state’s leading industry. The bipartisan measures help support farm workforce retention and expansion; create new tax credits for preserving farmland, transitioning to organic certification, and offering healthy options in communities; promote the use of local produce in schools; and help prepare new farmers for successful careers, among other initiatives.

Today’s measures build upon the Senate’s ongoing commitment to agriculture, including its role as the undisputed leader in restoring more than $55 million in proposed state funding cuts since 2011.

“My colleagues on both sides of the aisle understand how vitally important agriculture is to New York’s economy,” said Senator Bonacic. “With the black dirt farms in Warwick to the dairy producers in Delaware County, agriculture is a vital industry in my senate district. These measures will help ensure it remains a thriving one.”

The bills passed today include:

• Doubling the Existing Farm Workforce Retention Credit: S2905;
• Helping Schools Purchase Local Produce: S1430;
• Creating a “Future Agriculture Readiness Marketing” Camp: S4660;
• Increasing New Farmers’ Access to Land: S4900;
• Conserving Productive Land: S2479;
• Establishing a Young Farmer Advisory Board: S4021;
• Creating a Farm Savings Account: S3835;
• Providing Tax Credits for Organic Farm Transitions: S4721;
• Offering Tax Exemptions for Organic Farm Transitions: S562,
• Lifting Size Restrictions on Wine Ice Cream: S4265;
• Creating the Healthy Options and Community Outreach Program: S943;
• Preserving Farmland: S4535;
• Helping Timber Harvesters: S368;
• Promoting Farm Cideries: S1078;
• Reducing Transportation Costs: S1240; and
• Awarding Excellence in Agriculture: S1333

The bills being acted upon today – on National Agriculture Day - are among the latest efforts by the Senate to focus on growing New York agriculture from the ground up.

For more information on the bills, please visit www.nysenate.gov.