Hinchey agricultural payments OK’d by state Senate – Every day Freeman

New York state Sen. Michelle Hinchey declares victory in her race in the 41st Senate District on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2022, (Tania Barricklo/Daily Freeman)

SAUGERTIES, N.Y. — A state legislative package focused on agriculture that includes three bills by Sen. Michelle Hinchey has been favored by the Senate.

The three bills sponsored by Hinchey, who is chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture & Food Committee, are:

• Establishing Food Procurement Goals for State Agencies: This bill, S3125, would establish first-ever food procurement goals for state agencies that spend over $2 million annually on food, providing a direct line for all agencies to buy from New York farmers.

• Creating a One-Stop Farming Hotline: The bill, S2236, would establish a hotline, with assistance from Cornell Cooperative Extension, to connect farmers with information and support on tax credit programs, loans, grants, research, and marketing assistance.

• Expanding the New York Agricultural Assessment Program: The legislation, S1056A, expands eligibility under the Agricultural Assessment Program so more New York farmers can access tax benefits.

“Every facet of our lives leads back to the success of agriculture, from the New York-grown food that sustains us to the state of our economy to the power of American manufacturing,” Hinchey, D-Saugerties, said in a statement. “Keeping New York farmers farming is a fundamental priority of our Senate Majority, and I’m proud to help champion this robust legislative package, which will greatly expand access to healthy, locally-sourced food for all New Yorkers, strengthen agriculture’s vital role in the fight against the Climate Crisis, and create new avenues of support to bolster the financial standing of farms across New York State.”

“Farmers have always served as the backbone of America and they have always played an important role in New York State,” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said in a statement.