NY Agric & Mkts L § 297 (2021)
2021 New York Laws AGM - Agriculture and Markets Article 25-A - Food and Agriculture Industry Development 297 - Food and Agriculture Industry Development; Program Created.

§  297. Food and agriculture industry development; program created. 1.   Creation. There is hereby created  within  the  department  a  food  and   agriculture industry development program.2.   Purpose.  The  purpose  of  the  food  and  agriculture  industry   development  program  shall  be  to  share  the  cost  of   implementing   innovative  and  low  risk  approaches  to  the  research,  development,   production, processing and distribution  of  agricultural  products  and   quality  foods  that  capitalize  on  the  state's  unique resources and   strategic  location  near  significant  markets.  With  an  emphasis  on   programmatic  results,  such program shall be designed to favor projects   which will have an economic benefit to  the  state's  economy  and  food   supply  in  the  near  term,  and  which  will have a lasting effect and   long-term economic value to business development and job creation.3. Powers of the commissioner. The commissioner is  hereby  authorized   to  issue  requests  for proposals to implement the food and agriculture   industry development program; to award project grants within the  limits   of  any  appropriations  therefor,  provided that grant recipients match   awards with at least equal amounts of funds in the form of cash, in-kind   services or other resources; and to contract for services with  eligible   applicants to carry out such program.4.  Eligible  projects.  Projects  involving  new product development;   alternative   production,   processing,   distribution   and   marketing   technologies;  introduction  of  high  technologies;  or  organizational   methods that further development of the food and agriculture industry in   the state shall be eligible for grant awards pursuant to  the  food  and   agriculture   industry  development  program.  Also  eligible  shall  be   projects  involving  farm  woodland  or  fresh  water  aquatic  products   produced  in  either  natural  or man-made water bodies or in natural or   man-made controlled structures.  Projects  that  include  public-private   partnership  investments,  and  with  a  strong  potential for near-term   commercial application and long-term economic value  to  the  state  and   localities, shall be given priority.5. Targeted projects. The commissioner may set-aside up to twenty-five   percent  of  any  moneys  appropriated  for the purposes of the food and   agriculture industry  development  program  for  projects  that  exhibit   special  regional  or  state-wide  significance for food and agriculture   industry development and that meet the project eligibility  requirements   established pursuant to this article.6. Eligible applicants. Public and private agencies and organizations,   business  and  industry, educational institutions, local governments and   individuals shall be eligible to submit proposals for  funding  pursuant   to this article.7.  Grant awards. Project grants for contractual services that further   development of the state's food and agriculture industry as described in   this article shall be awarded on a competitive basis through  a  request   for  proposal  process.  Such  grants  shall  be  awarded for worthwhile   projects throughout the state, to the extent practicable, so that  broad   geographic  representation  is  achieved.  At least one solicitation for   project proposals shall  be  held  within  each  fiscal  year  in  which   appropriations   are   made   for  the  food  and  agriculture  industry   development program. Grant awards for an individual  project  shall  not   exceed sixty thousand dollars within a single state fiscal year.8.  Request  for  proposal  guidelines.  The  commissioner  shall,  in   consultation with the advisory council on agriculture, develop rules and   regulations for proposal submission pursuant to this article,  including   but  not  limited to: project eligibility and selection process; project   proposal format; eligible costs; project implementation; and reporting. 9. Advice of advisory council on agriculture. The  commissioner  shall   seek   the  recommendations  and  advice  of  the  advisory  council  on   agriculture regarding the development and promulgation  of  the  request   for  proposal  rules  and  regulations  and  the  submission of biennial   reports for the food and agriculture industry development program.10.  Technology  transfer.  The commissioner, in consultation with the   empire state development corporation, the Cornell cooperative  extension   service  and  food and agriculture industry representatives, shall share   technological  innovations  developed  as  a  result  of  the  food  and   agriculture  industry  development program with the food and agriculture   industry.11. Preparation and distribution of reports.  The  commissioner  shall   submit  a biennial report to the governor and legislature describing the   progress of the food and agriculture industry development  program.  The   first  report  shall  be  submitted  on  or  before September first, two   thousand one.