New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed into law a suburban agriculture bill. A Hudson Valley lawmaker had sponsored the bill in the Assembly.
The bill reduces the current acreage required to form an Agricultural District from 500 acres to 250 acres. Democrat Ellen Jaffee, who represents portions of Rockland County and is chair of the Assembly Task Force on Food, Farm and Nutrition Policy, says the legislation was inspired by Rockland farmers and advocates who for years have been trying to remove barriers to farming in suburban communities. Jaffee says the lower acreage requirement will help Rockland meet the increasing demand for local food. Democratic Senator David Valesky of Oneida sponsored the bill in the Senate.
