§ 309-a. Beginning farmer advisory board on agriculture. 1. There
shall be established within the department the beginning farmer advisory
board on agriculture, to advise and make recommendations to the state
agencies on state government plans, policies and programs affecting
agriculture, as outlined below, and in such areas as its experience and
studies may indicate to be appropriate.

2. The beginning farmer advisory board on agriculture shall consist of
twenty-five members selected for their experience and expertise related
to areas of board responsibility and comprised of diverse members of the
agriculture industry, including the commissioner, or the commissioner's
designee, with the remaining members selected as follows:

(a) The commissioner shall appoint the following eleven board members:

(1) one representative from the empire state development corporation;

(2) one officer of the Future Farmers of America (FFA);

(3) one representative from the department of labor;

(4) one urban farmer;

(5) one representative from the New York Farm Bureau;

(6) one participant from the Cornell small farms program;

(7) one representative from the United States department of
agriculture;

(8) one organic farmer;

(9) one veteran farmer;

(10) one representative from the Young Farmers coalition;

(11) one member of a group identified in the most recent United States
department of agriculture census of agriculture that is currently
underrepresented in farm ownership; and

(b) The remaining thirteen board members shall be from entry level
farmers or novice farmers, agriculture service providers, financial and
legal service providers to farm operators, Cornell Cooperative Extension
representatives, advocacy organization representatives, academics,
agricultural leaders, and/or others who can contribute to the work of
the advisory board on issues, including, among others: access to land
and capital, grants, business planning, farm processes and government
programs selected as follows: seven appointed by the commissioner; two
appointed by the temporary president of the senate; two appointed by the
speaker of the assembly; one appointed by the minority leader of the
senate; and one appointed by the minority leader of the assembly.

(c) Each member shall:

(1) be interested in the preservation and development of agriculture
and preservation of the agricultural way of life in New York;

(2) be actively involved in farming, agricultural activities,
agricultural research and/or providing services to the agricultural
community in the state;

(3) be a resident of the state; and

(4) be appointed for a term of three years and may serve until their
successors are chosen; provided, however, that of the members first
appointed, eight shall serve for a term of one year, eight shall serve
for a term of two years and nine shall serve for a term of three years.

(d) Members shall serve without salary but shall be entitled to
reimbursement of their ordinary and necessary travel expenses.

(e) The members of the board shall meet twice a year.

(f) The commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, shall chair the
board and the department shall provide the necessary secretariat and
support services to the board.

3. The duties and responsibilities of the beginning farmer advisory
board on agriculture shall include, but not be limited to:

(a) communicating to the public, the federal government, and the state
government the importance of beginning farmers to agriculture in the
state;

(b) identifying issues relating to beginning farmers in the state and
provide timely advice to the commissioner, the governor and the relevant
state agencies, with regard to the promotion of agriculture as a career
path and the economic development of beginning farmers;

(c) producing a biennial report and provide such report to the
governor, the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the
assembly on or before the end of each calendar year. Such report shall
identify and prioritize policy issues which affect beginning farmers;
and

(d) establishing committees, as necessary, to develop projects
relating to the aspects of life for beginning farmers in the state.