§ 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, food, and animal or plant fiber textile businesses, and institutions that are successful in producing, processing, marketing, and/or promoting New York farm, food, and animal or plant fiber textile 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 the commissioner's consideration in the following categories:(i) innovative and unique farm products developed for food, beverages, animal or plant fiber textiles, 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;
(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; and
(vii) animal or plant fiber textiles processed or manufactured from animal and plant fibers grown or produced predominantly in New York state. 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.
