NY S07745

Amends Agriculture and Markets Law to require the Advisory Council on Agriculture to advise the commissioner on procedures for annual awards recognizing New York farms, agricultural businesses, and institutions involved in producing, processing, marketing, or promoting farm and food products.

Establishes six award categories: innovative farm products, agri-tourism, processed foods/beverages from New York products, retail food stores, restaurants and food service businesses, and education/health care/residential institutions including school and hospital food service.

Requires coordination between the Agriculture Commissioner and Economic Development Commissioner to determine which department will make awards in overlapping categories.

Prohibits current members of the advisory board and their businesses from being eligible as award nominees, with the commissioner having final discretion on selecting award winners.

Amends Economic Development Law to align the existing Direct Farm Marketing Award, Agri-Tourism Award, and Specialty Food Product Award procedures with the new advisory council nomination process.