Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) has been named to the New York Farm Bureau’s “Circle of Friends.” This is honor is given annually to state lawmakers who have distinguished themselves as supporters of the New York Farm Bureau, the farming community, and agricultural initiatives across the state.

“I am honored to be named to the ‘Circle of Friends,’” said Assemblymember Didi Barrett. “Farming is the backbone of our community and I am committed to making sure that our local farmers will not only be able to keep growing – but to see their operations thrive so that they can continue to operate for generations to come, as so many in the Hudson Valley have done.”

Farming is not only a big part of the local economy, but it is a big part of New York State’s economy. New York is one of the top agriculture producers in the country, and in 2010 agricultural production returned close to $4.7 billion to the farm economy.¹

This past year, Barrett supported several initiatives that were designed to assist local farms and the statewide farming economy. This legislation:

• reduces the property tax cap from 10 percent to 2 percent on annual agriculture assessment value increases (A.165);
• promotes the purchase of New York farm products by senior centers and other institutions for the aging (A.2700);
• creates a coordinating council to promote the use of New York grown products in New York (A.2701);
• establishes the “Shop: Pride of NY” program so that sellers of food made in New York State can access promotional materials, thus increasing their exposure (A.3702/A.3802);
• creates a license for farm cideries to produce New York State cider (A.8047); and
• allows farm wineries to sell wine at licensed road side farm markets located within 20 miles (Ch. 355 of 2013).

Barrett has also authored legislation that would establish a tax credit for farm vehicles that pay tolls on the New York State Thruway. This legislation would alleviate the financial burden that the tolls place on small farmers and make it easier for them to bring their goods to market (A.7347).

This year’s state budget also helped support the booming agriculture industry in New York by providing critical funding needed for agricultural programs across the state. This included funding for the New York State Farm Viability Institute ($1.5 million), New York State Apple Growers Association ($1 million), Dairy Profit Teams ($370,000), New York Wine & Grape Foundation ($1 million), and the Maple Producers Association ($125,000). The state budget also created the Market-NY program which was designed to help promote locally grown products.

1. http://www.agclassroom.org/kids/stats/newyork.pdf