Stec Helps Pass Package of Agriculture Bills

Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) today helped pass a package of 10 bills designed to boost our agriculture industry. Four of the bills, which Stec co-sponsored, address major issues like loan forgiveness, a one-stop farming hotline, workforce retention and procurement goals.

 “Agriculture is the economic backbone of our state and we must do everything we can to ensure its continued success,” said Stec. “The bills I co-sponsored and helped pass today will go a long way toward ensuring family farms can afford to continue producing goods and find a market for them, hire and keep laborers and receive assistance and advice.

“I’m committed to ensuring our local farms get the support they need to continue growing the quality food our communities rely on,” he added. “I hope my colleagues in the Assembly take up these bills as well and help promote New York’s agriculture industry.”

The legislation that passed the Senate today is:

• S.4082, which expands eligibility for the New York State Young Farmers Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program;
• S.4072, which establishes a one-stop farming hotline with the Cornell Cooperative Extension;
• S.3502A, which increases the amount of the Farm Workforce Retention Credit from $600 to $1,200 per farm employee; and
• S.6808A, which establishes procurement goals to ensure New York State food products are purchased by state agencies.