N.Y. Urban Development Corporation Act 174/68 § 16-w: Beginning farmers NY fund

§ 16-w. Beginning farmers NY fund. 1. The beginning farmers NY fund is

hereby created. The purpose of the beginning farmers NY fund is to make

grants to eligible applicants, to support beginning farmers and

encourage them to consider farming as a career, resulting in the growth

of agribusiness within the state and the concomitant tax revenues for

the state.

2. The corporation shall consult with the department of agriculture

and markets in order to establish such criteria governing the award of

grants as authorized herein, as the corporation and such department deem

necessary. Such criteria shall include, but not be limited to, farmers

who have not produced an "agricultural product" as defined by section

three hundred twenty-eight of the agriculture and markets law, for more

than ten consecutive years, and who will materially and substantially

participate in the production of an agricultural product within a region

of the state.

3. Appropriations to the beginning farmers NY fund may be used for the

following purposes:

(a) to assist farmers in demonstrating innovative agricultural

techniques including, but not limited to, organic farming and specialty

crops.

(b) capital grants in accordance with a business plan to improve farm

profitability. Upon completion of such business plan, recipients shall

be eligible for capital grants to enhance the profitability of farming

operations. Such grants may be used for purposes including, but not

limited to, the purchase of machinery or the construction or improvement

of physical structures. Any capital grant shall be issued with a

one-to-one match between the state and recipient.

4. The corporation shall establish a competitive process for the

evaluation of applicants for the beginning farmers NY fund. When

awarding funds pursuant to this section, the corporation shall ensure

that applicants meet the criteria and requirements determined by the

corporation pursuant to this section.

5. The beginning farmers NY fund shall not invest an amount in any

single beneficiary that exceeds fifty thousand dollars, subject to any

exceptions to be established by guidelines of the corporation.

6. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the

corporation may establish a program fund for program use and pay into

such fund any eligible funds available to the corporation from any

source, including moneys appropriated by the state.

7. The corporation shall submit a report annually on December

thirty-first to the director of the budget, the temporary president of

the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the

senate and the minority leader of the assembly detailing (a) the total

amount of funds committed to each applicant; (b) the location of each

applicant; and (c) such other information as the corporation deems

necessary.

8. The corporation is hereby authorized to establish guidelines for

the administration of the program, including application procedures and

disbursement terms, and to provide for the repayment of funds received

by the beneficiary if the beneficiary leaves New York state or otherwise

ceases farming activity within a period of time to be established by the

corporation.