N.Y. Agriculture & Markets Law § 325-a: State assistance payments to not-for-profit conservation organizations

§ 325-a. State assistance payments to not-for-profit conservation

organizations. 1. Subject to the availability of funds, a program is

hereby established for the purpose of awarding state assistance to

not-for-profit conservation organizations for activities that will

assist counties and municipalities with their agricultural and farmland

protection efforts. To be eligible, an organization shall have at least

one active farmer on their board of directors at the time of application

or shall provide for the appointment of a farmer to such board of

directors in a manner approved by the commissioner.

2. Awards of state assistance payments shall be made on a competitive

basis through a request for proposal process which shall set forth the

standards for the selection process, the required proposal format, the

costs which are eligible for funding, reporting requirements, and such

other provisions as the commissioner may deem necessary, proper or

desirable to achieve the purposes of this section. Applications for

state assistance payments must be endorsed by the agricultural and

farmland protection board for the county or counties in which the funded

activities would be implemented.

3. In evaluating applications, the commissioner shall give priority to

activities that will assist counties and municipalities with their

agricultural and farmland protection efforts by disseminating

information and providing technical assistance to county and municipal

governments, owners of agricultural lands and other agricultural

interests.

4. Upon receipt of an application for state assistance, the

commissioner shall review the request, consult with the advisory council

on agriculture and, within ninety days from the receipt of a complete

application, make a determination as to whether or not the application

will be funded.

5. State assistance payments awarded to an applicant shall be used in

a manner which does not in any way unreasonably restrict or regulate

farm operations in contravention of the purposes of article

twenty-five-AA of this chapter.

6. State assistance payments awarded pursuant to this section shall

not exceed fifty thousand dollars to any applicant in any fiscal year,

and shall not exceed five hundred thousand dollars to all applicants in

any fiscal year.