State Senator Christopher J. Ryan (SD-50) today highlighted significant wins for farmers, rural communities, and New York’s agricultural economy included in the Senate’s one-house budget proposal. These investments aim to strengthen farm resilience, expand opportunities for new and diverse farmers, and protect the long-term viability of agricultural lands across the state.

“Our farmers in Onondaga and Oswego counties are facing real challenges, from unpredictable weather to rising costs, but they continue to show incredible resilience and innovation. This one-house budget makes targeted investments to help them recover from extreme weather, protect their land, and grow their operations in a changing climate. We’re also making sure the next generation of farmers here in Central New York have a fair shot, whether that means expanding access to tax credits, supporting new and beginning farmers, or helping young farmers manage student debt. At the same time, we’re investing in farmworker housing and programs that support socially and economically disadvantaged farmers, because a strong agricultural economy has to work for everyone. These are practical, forward-looking investments that will help keep agriculture strong in our region and ensure farms across Onondaga and Oswego counties can continue to thrive for years to come,” said Senator Ryan.

The Senate’s agriculture priorities include:

• $20 million Farm Security Resiliency Grant Program to support farmers who have suffered significant financial losses due to extreme weather and natural disasters
• $13.9 million for Climate Resilient Farms and $5 million for Farmland Protection through the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), helping farms adapt to climate change while preserving critical agricultural land
• Adoption of the Executive proposal to standardize the definition of “farmer” for tax credits, expanding access to state benefits for emerging and beginning farmers who may not yet meet traditional income thresholds
• $2.1 million increase for the Farm Viability Institute, bringing total funding to $3.1 million to support long-term farm sustainability
• Restoration of $1.3 million for the Beginning Farmers Grant Program
• Restoration of $1.3 million for the Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Farmers Grant Program
• Language to increase the Farmworker Housing borrowing cap from $200,000 to $400,000, helping improve safe and affordable housing for agricultural workers
• Restoration of $50,000 for the New York Young Farmers Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program, bringing total funding to $200,000 to support young farmers managing student debt