ALBANY – The New York State Senate has unanimously adopted a bill that will help keep some of New York’s overburdened farmers on their land and relieve some financial stress of many small, family run farms.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Tom Libous (R-Binghamton) and Assemblyman Bill Magee (D-Nelson), would allow farmers with outstanding tax liens on their property to pay the oldest liens first. This would be a relief for many area farmers who have multiple liens because under current law, the most recent lien must be paid first while older ones accumulate additional fees and penalties, putting farmers in jeopardy and subjecting farm land to the risk of division and being sold in smaller acreages.
According to New York Farm Bureau President Dean Norton, the bill is a necessary measure to protect farmers statewide.
“This may seem like a small change to some, but for farmers that are struggling to stay on their land, this could turn out to be a crucial piece of legislation,” he said in a recent press release. “I am very grateful to Senator Libous for his steadfast leadership on this issue and for his strong support of agriculture in general.”
In today’s uncertain economy, our farmers and their families have enough to worry about,” stated Senator Libous. “My legislation allows them to pay off their debts in the order they were created so older debts don’t continue to generate interest year after year. It saves farmers money and it just makes sense.”
While the bill awaits consideration in the New York State Assembly, it’s received support from agricultural leaders in Chenango County who have spent time in Albany lobbying for this change. Bradd Vickers, president of the Chenango County Farm Bureau, said this is a vital step in protecting small farms from a “very archaic process” of collecting lien dues. The biggest challenge now, he said, is drumming up support for the bill to clear the State Assembly.
“We need to do everying we can to maintain our agricultural food base,” said Vickers. “This is one of the many things that the Farm Bureau is concerned about in today’s economic times ... It’s a challenge facing farmers all across New York State, not just here.”
However, Vickers added that although the bill is a positive step forward, it addresses only one of many issues burdening small, family operated farms. Other burdens, he explained, include high fuel costs and low milk prices, making it difficult for small farms to profit. Concerns surrounding milk prices have spurred agriculture lobbyists to push for reformed milk price legislation for months.
“When you’re looking at the food in a grocery store, you’re not thinking about the source of the food supply,” said Vickers. “It’s important to do what we can to support the agriculture industry.”