Saratoga Springs, New York—The 2009-10 state budget approved by the state legislature and Governor Paterson includes important funding that will help farmers protect land and water while strengthening the state’s agricultural industry.

“We greatly appreciate the leadership demonstrated by the legislature and governor in protecting the state’s Environmental Protection Fund and making strategic investments in programs that help farmers protect land and water,” said David Haight, New York Director for American Farmland Trust (AFT). “These investments in tough economic times will help farmers produce the local food, renewable energy and healthy environment desired by so many New Yorkers, while strengthening the state’s economy.” 

The budget will include a $222 million appropriation for the state’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), the principal funding source for more than 30 programs that protect New York’s land, air and water. Included in the EPF appropriation is $23 million for the state’s Farmland Protection Program, $12.2 million for the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Program, $3 million for Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and
$1.575 million for the Conservation Partnership Program. 

“Our thanks go out to Assemblyman Magee (NY-111) and Senator Aubertine (NY-48), the chairs of the Assembly and Senate Agriculture Committees respectfully, for being champions of so many agricultural programs, including these EPF programs, that were included in the budget,” said Haight. “They understand the importance of agriculture to the state’s economy, environment and communities and really fought for them.” 

The legislature also agreed to remove language that would have swept $45 million in EPF funds into the state’s General Fund and changed the EPF’s funding source.

“Environmental Conservation Committee Chairpersons Assemblyman Sweeney (NY-11) and Senator Thompson (NY-60) were real drivers in protecting the EPF and making sure there is cash in the fund to make good on the state’s promises to the environment,” said Haight. Sweeps of more than $450 million authorized in previous state budgets have depleted cash in the EPF and slowed the completion of environmental projects, including farmland protection projects. 

The enacted State Budget also includes an expansion of the state’s Bottle Bill law to include nickel deposits on bottled water, with a majority percentage of the unclaimed nickels going to the state’s General Fund. 

New York’s Farmland Protection Program was created in 1996 and provides grants for eligible towns and counties to purchase development rights on farmland. Purchase of development rights (PDR) is a voluntary farmland protection technique that pays farmland owners to permanently conserve their land for agriculture. Purchase of development rights places a deed restriction—known as a conservation easement—on enrolled property. When farmland owners sell their development rights, they retain all other ownership rights and can continue to farm as before. 

New York has allocated more than $144.5 million from the EPF for the Farmland Protection Program to help protect 63,700 acres on 276 farms in 28 counties. The enacted 2008-09 state budget allocated $30 million from the EPF to the Farmland Protection Program. In 2008, there were 190 farm families across New York interested in participating in the Farmland Protection Program to protect 49,400 acres at a cost of $156.5 million.

“While a step in the right direction, there is much more to be done for New York’s farmers and environment,” adds Haight. “Practically speaking, at the new level of funding, about six out of seven farmers interested in protecting their land this year will be turned away due to inadequate funding.”

“There are also severe economic challenges facing New York farmers, particularly our dairy farmers. We look forward to working with the state legislature throughout the rest of the session to address these issues. The economic viability of farming goes hand in hand with our ability to protect farmland for New York’s future,” adds Haight.

-30-