Hochul signs bills affecting New York agricultural industry

GEDDES, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday signed three bills affecting New York’s agricultural industry.

She signed the new legislation into law during her visit to the New York State Fair in the town of Geddes.

Hochul signed a bill that allows the leasing of state land to be used for sap production and tree tapping for 10 years to increase the return on investment for producers, including maple producers. The measure authorized the commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to sign such contracts.

Another bill would allow licensed farm wineries to use apples grown outside of New York State to manufacture or sell state-labeled cider, “in certain circumstances.” The measure provides crop-loss determination for farm wineries to authorize the use of apples grown outside of New York.

Hochul also signed a bill establishing the Beginning Farmer Advisory Board on Agriculture.

“Our maple tree tapping legislation is a great way to help the New York maple industry continue to grow and thrive,” New York State Senator Rachel May (D–Syracuse) said in the Hochul announcement. “Allowing 10-year leases matches the reality of how the maple industry works, and I am happy we are able to get this common-sense legislation into law. Thank you to Governor Hochul for highlighting this bill by signing it at the New York State Fair today, and thank you to Assemblymember Donna Lupardo for her partnership on this bill.”

“I’d like to thank the Governor for taking this opportunity to sign these important agricultural measures into state law today,” Assemblymember Donna Lupardo (D–Binghamton) said. “Doing so at the Great New York State Fair reminds us of the central role agriculture plays in NY’s economy and how the Fair is a celebration of our farmers and producers. Supporting NY’s beginning farmers, along with helping our maple and apple producers thrive, is part of our commitment to all things NY agriculture.”