NY Agric & Mkts L § 309 (2021)
2021 New York Laws AGM - Agriculture and Markets Article 25-AA - Agricultural Districts 309 - Advisory Council on Agriculture.

§ 309. Advisory  council on agriculture. 1. There shall be established within the department the advisory council 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. The department  of  agriculture  and  markets  shall  provide  necessary secretariat and support services to the council.   2. The advisory council on agriculture shall consist of eleven members appointed  by  the  governor  with the advice and consent of the senate, selected for their experience and expertise related to areas of  council responsibility.  At least five members of the council shall be operators of a commercial farm enterprise  and  at  least  two  members  shall  be representatives  of  local governments. The balance of the council shall be comprised of representatives of business or institutions  related  to agriculture.  Members  shall  be appointed for a term of three years and may serve until their successors are chosen provided, however,  that  of the  members  first appointed, three shall serve for a term of one year, three shall serve for a term of two years, and three shall serve  for  a term  of  three  years.  Members shall serve without salary but shall be entitled  to  reimbursement  of  their  ordinary  and  necessary  travel expenses. The members of the council shall elect a chairman.   3.  The  duties  and  responsibilities  of  the  advisory  council  on agriculture as they pertain to agricultural districts shall include, but not be limited to, providing timely advice, comments and recommendations to the commissioner in regard to:   a. the establishment of agricultural districts;   b. the eight year review of agricultural districts; and   c. the establishment of and any revision to  the  land  classification system  used  in  connection  with  the  determination  of  agricultural assessment values.   The commissioner may delegate to the council  such  additional  duties and responsibilities as he deems necessary.   4.  The  duties  and  responsibilities  of  the  advisory  council  on agriculture shall include, but  not  be  limited  to,  providing  timely advice, comments and recommendations to the commissioner of taxation and finance  in  regard  to  the  establishment  of  agricultural assessment values.   5. The advisory council on agriculture shall advise  the  commissioner and  other  state  agency  heads on state government plans, policies and programs affecting farming and the agricultural industry of this  state. Concerned  state  agencies  shall  be  encouraged to establish a working relationship with the council and shall fully cooperate with the council in any requests it shall make.   6. The advisory council on agriculture may ask  other  individuals  to attend  its  meetings  or work with it on an occasional or regular basis provided, however, that it shall invite participation by the chairman of the state soil and water conservation committee and the dean of the  New York   state  college  of  agriculture  and  life  sciences  at  Cornell university. The advisory council on agriculture shall set the  time  and place of its meetings, and shall hold at least one meeting per year.   7.  The advisory council on agriculture shall file a written report to the governor and the legislature by April first each year concerning its activities during the previous year and its program expectations for the succeeding year.   8. The advisory council on agriculture shall advise  the  commissioner in regards to whether particular land uses are agricultural in nature.   9.   a.   The   advisory  council  on  agriculture  shall  advise  the commissioner  in  establishing  procedures  for  making  annual   awards  recognizing  New  York  farms,  agricultural  and  food  businesses, and institutions that are successful in  producing,  processing,  marketing, and/or promoting New York farm and food products. The commissioner shall coordinate  with  the  commissioner of economic development to determine which department shall make awards in categories that may be similar  to those  listed  in  subdivision  eighteen-c of section one hundred of the economic development law. These awards shall be given in recognition  of exceptional performance and support for New York agriculture by persons, firms and organizations that are principally located within the state of New  York  and  engaged  in  the  operation  of  New  York  state farms, businesses and institutions.   b. The council may annually nominate and forward such nominations  for awards to the commissioner for his or her consideration in the following categories:  (i) innovative and unique farm products developed for food, beverages, or horticulture;  (ii) agri-tourism;  (iii)  foods or beverages processed or manufactured from New York farm products;  (iv) retail food stores;  (v) restaurants and other food service businesses; and  (vi) education, health care and  residential  institutions  including, but  not  limited  to,  food  service  in  schools, colleges, hospitals, nursing homes, day care and senior centers.   c. The council may also recommend to the commissioner nominations  for awards  given  pursuant to subdivision eighteen-c of section one hundred of the economic development law.   d. The commissioner may designate award winners from these nominees at his or her discretion. Current members of the advisory board  and  their businesses are not eligible as nominees.