NY farmland bills advance with concern over energy goal impact

By Ashley Hupfl | The Daily Gazette, Schenectady

After the state Senate passed a package of bills aimed at supporting farmers and food producers on Tuesday, concerns about the state’s agricultural industry and the state’s transition to renewable energy remained.

The Senate’s 10-bill package included legislation to establish a farming hotline with the Cornell Cooperative Extension, establish an Office of Urban Agriculture, create a tax credit for farmers who utilize “carbon farming” land management strategies and increase the number of regional farmers’ markets for the direct marketing of foods and produce in the state.