By Julie Marlette, Hinman Straub
On Wednesday March 15th, NEAFA members gathered virtually for the 2023 lobby day. The initial plan had been to host an in - person event, however, a very severe storm in the Capital Region caused this event to be shifted to virtual. The night before our advocacy event, the legislative or “one house” budgets were released. Members had great conversations about what was in these proposals and how they aligned with NEAFA priorities. On Monday March 20th, Joint Budget Conference Committee meetings commenced, and the houses noted the similarities in their respective proposals. An overview of the status of some of NEAFA’s priorities is below.
Farm Labor Specialist
State support has allowed for a professional farm business / human resources cooperative extension specialist to provide timely, valuable information and guidance to farmer employers throughout the state. Recent increases in state investment have allowed the program to expand career growth and services for the Hispanic farm workforce, to improve farm employee housing management, and to improve employee training and workforce availability in New York agriculture.
NEAFA supported the Executive’s proposed appropriation of $202,000 and requested a restoration of $199,000 to maintain the support for the Spanish speaking farm workforce. Both houses of the legislature included this restoration in their proposals.
NY Farm Viability Institute
The 302 projects that this program has supported have returned nearly seven dollars to the State’s economy for every dollar invested, and farm profitability has been enhanced by approximately $149 million. Projects have included the development of IPM practices in onions, reduced tillage on vegetable farms, biological controls for pest management, and the use of profitable winter forages as cover crops. They are growing to include climate change and green operations.
NEAFA supported the Executive’s proposed appropriation of $1 million and requested an additional appropriation of $1.5 million. The Assembly proposal would include and additional $1 million while the Senate proposal would seek to add the full $1.5 million.
New York State Occupational Health Clinic Network (OHCN) and New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH)
The OHCN, through its nine member centers, serves as an essential resource for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of occupational disease and other work-related injuries and illnesses. The nine member centers are facing funding challenges, forcing the OHCN member centers to consider implementing future cuts to some programs and services.
One of the centers, the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH) - serves tens of thousands of agricultural workers around the state. NYCAMH offers the critically needed staff and expertise to carry out on-farm safety trainings, respirator fit testing, assisting with retrofitting farm equipment to enhance safety, and support the health of farm workers.
NYCAMH requires $1 million increase in funding just to maintain current programs and services. Such a funding increase can only be possible if the overall funding for OHCN was increased.
NEAFA supported the Executive’s continued funding for OHCN – including NYCAMH, and requested an increase in support, with $1 million of that increased dedicated to NYCAMH. The Assembly proposal included no increase. The Senate proposal includes a proposed $10.5 million increase for OHCN.
Dairy Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub
The dairy entrepreneurship and innovation hub will help develop the next generation of dairy products and processing. This would drive success for New York’s farmers and strengthen the industry.
NEAFA requested $500,000 to support the establishment of a dairy entrepreneurship and innovation hub. Unfortunately, this program was not funded in either proposal.
Climate Adaptive Research Farms: Applied Infrastructure & Demonstration Projects
$5M in capital funding has been provided in recent years to support a series of practices and technologies designed to showcase agro-ecological approaches to managing climate adaptation, sequestering carbon, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on NYS-owned research farms including Cornell CALS dairy teaching and research farm.
NEAFA requested an additional $5 million capital investment, which was included in both legislative proposals.
PRO-DAIRY
Pro-Dairy Core Program: Through PRO-DAIRY’s core program, New York’s dairy farmers are better prepared to implement business management, agronomic, environmental, herd health, nutrient management, and forage systems. The core program’s funding, continues the 32-year tradition of essential programming to ensure New York’s dairy farmers remain economically competitive.
Additional investments in recent years have allowed the program to provide more support to New York’s dairy farms in achieving NY’s ambitious goal of a 15 percent reduction in GHG emissions from agriculture by 2030. Investments in on-farm research in GHG emissions reduction and improving stewardship and collaboration will be critical as the state moves towards a net-zero economy.
NEAFA requested maintenance of the Executive’s proposed appropriation of $1.213 million and restoration of $250,000 included in the 2023 Enacted Budget. This restoration was included in both legislative proposals.
Dairy Profit Teams: Dairy Profit Teams have assisted over 250 dairy farms with strategic business planning to improve operational efficiencies to support the next generation on the farm. This program continues to serve an important need of the dairy industry.
NEAFA supported the Executive’s proposed appropriation of $370,000 which was included in both legislative proposals.
Dairy Advancement Program: The Dairy Advancement Program (DAP) has provided assistance to over 400 small to mid-sized dairy farms with environmental planning. The cost associated with professional planning is a barrier for many dairies, particularly those with fewer than 300 cows. The DAP helps farms engage the services of business and environmental planning professionals.
NEAFA supported the Executive’s proposed appropriation of $700,000 which was included in both legislative proposals.
NY FarmNet
This network of 46 consultants across the state are in place to respond to farmers’ requests for assistance. Professional financial and mental health consultants help farm families and businesses deal with the financial and emotional issues characteristic of an industry under severe stress. In 2021, FarmNet professionals worked with over 729 farmers on issues ranging from economic and mental health to business and estate planning.
NEAFA supported the Executive’s proposed $1.4 million appropriation which was included in both legislative proposals.
Agricultural Education and Outreach Programs
These programs, including Future Farmers of America (FFA), Agriculture in the Classroom, and Agricultural educators create a pipeline for the next generation of farmers, agribusinesses, food companies, and industry leaders. Significant private industry support is leveraged with public funds to maximize the success of these programs.
NEAFA supported the Executive’s proposed appropriations totaling $2 million; $1 million for FFA, $500,000 for Agriculture in the Classroom and $500,000 for Agricultural Educators, all of which were included in the legislative proposals.
Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution Control
This program provides essential funding for assisting New York’s animal agriculture industry facing costly water quality regulations prescribed by DEC and EPA. Farmers are stewards of soil and water resources, yet comprehensive nutrient management plans can require more than what a farm business can reasonably afford.
NEAFA supported the Executive’s Appropriation of $20 million for this program. Both legislative proposals included a proposed increase of $2 million.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
For over 32 years, this nationally-recognized program has provided the research and education necessary to develop and employ a “toolbox” of options that provide effective pest control in dairy barns, crop fields, orchards, vineyards, greenhouses, farmsteads, golf courses, and gardens. Reducing pest threats, protecting the environment, and protecting New Yorkers are part of the IPM Program’s mission.
NEAFA supported the Executive’s proposed appropriations for IPM; $2 million for agricultural nonpoint and $1 million for community nonpoint. These appropriations were included in both legislative proposals.
Investment Tax Credit for Farmers
The Executive Budget Proposal would make the investment tax credit (ITC) fully refundable for eligible farmers through December 31, 2027 and assist farmers with investments in their agri-enterprises. Additional changes would allow eligible farmers to receive relief that would enable them to continue to update, modernize, and invest in their farming operations.
NEAFA supported the Executive Proposal which was included in both legislative proposals.