New York Farm Bureau Wins Legislative Victories for Agriculture

By Blake Jackson

As this year’s legislative session comes to a close, New York Farm Bureau (NYFB) celebrates several significant advocacy achievements that benefit agriculture throughout the state.

Key successes include the extension of the farm workforce retention tax credit through 2029, providing farms with a $1,200 credit for each eligible employee. Additionally, $5 million was added to the farmworker housing revolving loan fund, which offers no-interest loans to farmers for improving existing farmworker housing or building and purchasing new homes.

Another important update is the correction to the farm employer overtime tax credit, now allowing corporate entities to claim the credit and making it retroactive for 2024 and 2025.

Furthermore, the state’s unemployment insurance debt has been fully paid off, eliminating surcharges on unemployment insurance for businesses.

Funding was maintained for key programs such as Nourish New York and Farm to School, along with critical support for the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH).

The Environmental Protection Fund received $425 million, which will support farmland protection and water quality projects on farms.

Legislation (S.4911/A.3599) was passed to exempt processors of syrup made from tree sap or honey from certain licensing requirements, easing regulations for those producers.

NYFB also successfully opposed several proposed laws that would have negatively impacted farmers. This includes defeating the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation (S.1464/A.1749) and the Temperature Extreme Mitigation Plan (TEMP) Act (S.3412/A.3527), both of which would have placed undue burdens on farmers, affecting their profits and time.

Additionally, NYFB helped block the “Good Food Bill” (S.7638/A.8091), which would have introduced state law preferences that do not align with regulated production methods or support nutritious dairy products like whole milk, yogurt, and cheese.

“The policy team at New York Farm Bureau works year-round to build relationships with policymakers," said Acting Director of Public Policy Renée St. Jacques. "Having NYFB members who are actively engaged in our advocacy efforts really makes the difference in ensuring that agriculture has a voice in the state legislative process.”

Photo Credit: new-york-farm-bureau