NY S09169

Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets must reform the Dairy Farmland Protection Initiative grant program to prioritize specialty crop production (fruits, vegetables, legumes, fungi, and grains) and remove project-level funding caps on easements.

Commissioner must reform the New Farmer Grant Program to expand opportunities for beginning farmers (those operating farms for 10 years or less and owning farms no larger than 30% of county average size).

At least 50% of New Farmer Grant Program funding must be reserved for specialty crop producers.

The New Farmer Grant Program must prioritize prospective farmers identifying as Black, Indigenous, Asian, and/or Hispanic or Latino in project evaluation and selection.

Commissioner should collaborate with fruit and vegetable associations, farm-to-school programs, food hubs, land trusts, and non-governmental organizations to support specialty crop market access and create land ownership and access opportunities for socially disadvantaged farmers.