Agriculture and Markets, Department of

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Agency Web Site: http://www.agriculture.ny.gov/

Mission

The Department of Agriculture and Markets is charged with fostering a competitive and safe New York food and agricultural industry for the benefit of producers and consumers. The Department encourages the growth and economic health of the State’s agricultural and food industry and conducts various inspections and testing programs to enforce laws on food safety, animal and plant health, and accuracy of labeling. The Department also acts to preserve agricultural resources and improve soil and water quality, and operates the annual State Fair near Syracuse.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2017 Executive Budget recommends $153.2 million All Funds for the Department of Agriculture and Markets. This is a decrease of $23.5 million from the FY 2016 budget. The change reflects reduced funding for one-time local assistance initiatives, and the transfer of certain Special Revenue Fund non-personal service costs to the Empire State Development Corporation.

The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 476 FTEs for the Department, the same level as FY 2016.

Major budget actions include:

• Creation of the "NYS Certified High Quality" initiative. The Department will be responsible for food safety testing and inspection initiatives to ensure that the State’s food production system is the best in the nation. This program will encourage New York producers to use best practices in food safety, food handling, and environmental stewardship.
• $1.1 million for the “Taste NY” program, which promotes locally grown or produced food and beverages by making them readily available across the State at high traffic retail venues located at rest areas, airports and train stations. In addition to this innovative retail concept, Taste NY also fosters increased demand for these products via strategic branding and marketing efforts.
• $350,000 in funding for the FreshConnect farmers’ market program, which benefits farmers and consumers alike by awarding competitive grants to create and expand farmers' markets in underserved communities throughout New York.
• $18.5 million for various programs that provide critical support to New York’s agricultural industry, including: the Migrant Childcare, Pro-Dairy, and Cornell Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory programs, among others.
• $250,000 for the Farm to School program, which promotes the purchasing of food from local farmers by school districts, while expanding access to healthy foods for students.
• $40,000 to evaluate and test hop varieties in New York for the purpose of increasing the availability of locally grown hops for the State’s growing craft brew industry.
• $3.5 million in capital funding to address critical capital needs at the New York State Fair, including roof and façade replacement and other infrastructure improvements.
• Transfer of dairy and agricultural product marketing programs (known as marketing orders) to the Empire State Development Corporation (ESD). The transfer will allow for continuation of the $16 million marketing order programs and will enable the producer groups to benefit from ESD's extensive marketing expertise.

For more information on this agency's budget recommendations located in the Executive Budget Briefing Book, click on the following link:

Briefing Book – Environment and Energy (PDF)

Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/13/2016

Click for additional detailed appropriation tables