By Hinman Straub
On October 28, 2025, the New York State Assembly’s Standing Committee on Agriculture convened a public hearing in Albany focused on “Emerging Farmers.” Committee members in attendance included Chair Lupardo and Assemblymembers Miller, Woerner, Schiavoni, Giglio, Kay, Lemondes, Kelles, Barrett, Buttenschon, and Tague.
According to the official hearing notice, the Committee’s purpose for the hearing was to examine the impact and effectiveness of agriculture programs which assist young and emerging farmers funded in the Enacted 2025-26 State Budget. The notice indicates that as the average age of a farmer in the State continues to rise, it is important to encourage new entrants into the farming profession. “Emerging farmers” includes both those individuals who are entirely new to farming as well as those individuals who have been farming but are now transitioning to ownership. The State currently funds several programs which support emerging farmers and assist in the transition of farms.
Testimony was heard from the following individuals:
• Richard Ball, Commissioner, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
• Aaron Allen, Farmer, Allenwaite Farms, Board Chair, NY Farm Viability Institute
• Holly Rippon-Butler, Director, Land Campaign, National Young Farmers Coalition
• Ian Calder-Piedmonte, Farmer, Balsam Farms, Councilman, East Hampton
• Richard De Meyer, Farmer, De Meyer Family Farms, Chair, NY Farm Bureau, Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee
• Christian Lewis, Farmer, Blue Ruin Ranch, Member, NY Farm Bureau, Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee
• Quade Kirk, Farmer, Dutch Hollow Farm, Member, NY Farm Bureau, Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee
• Julian R Mangano, NY Policy Manager, American Farmland Trust
• Allyson Jones-Brimmer, Executive Director, Northeast Dairy Producers Association (NEDPA)
• Julie C. Suarez, Associate Dean, Land-Grant Affairs & Director, Translational Research Programs, Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
• Katie Carpenter, Director, NY Agriculture in the Classroom, Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
• Karl Czymmek, Dairy Climate Leadership Specialist & Associate Director, PRO DAIRY, Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
• Dr. Anu Rangarajan, Senior Extension Associate & Director, Cornell Small Farm Program, Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Committee Chair Lupardo began the hearing with a statistic: 60 percent of New York farmers are 55 and older. Consequently, there is a need to support the next generation as they phase into the profession. The Committee heard from a wide range of stakeholders, listening to the perspectives of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets, Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, farmers, and others.
There were several topics consistently discussed throughout the hearing including succession planning and transitioning farms to the next generation, solar farms on productive farmland, oversubscription to funding programs, collaboration with other State agencies and BOCES, farm worker housing, need for business planning resources, and New York’s electrification initiative.
Regarding the generational transfer of farmland and operations, it was noted that many established farmers are approaching retirement, but younger farmers face significant barriers to entry, especially access to land and capital. Members asked whether existing programs are sufficient to facilitate these transfers and whether more resources are needed for business planning, legal, and tax support to make transitions sustainable. Witnesses explained how, due to long working hours and limited resources, many farmers do not have access to grant writers, lawyers, or other professionals. There was a recognition that without better succession planning assistance, productive farmland risks being lost or consolidated.
Both Committee members and witnesses expressed concern over the growing number of solar projects on productive agricultural land. Testimony indicated that large-scale solar installations have increased nearby farmland values and, in some cases, contributed to conversion pressures. The Committee discussed how to strike a balance between meeting the State’s renewable energy goals and preserving farmland. Some ideas raised included incentivizing solar development on less-productive soils and supporting farmland protection programs.
Testimony indicated that most programs intended to help new and emerging farmers are oversubscribed. Chair Lupardo indicated that last year, emerging farmers applied for funding totaling $22 million, but there was only $800,000 available. Additionally, applicants often face long waits or partial awards due to limited funding. It was suggested that the State should increase funding and commit more consistent, ongoing funding to support emerging farmers.
Members mentioned the need for improved coordination among State agencies—specifically Agriculture and Markets, Labor, NYSERDA, and Empire State Development—as well as l BOCES and Cornell Cooperative Extension. Lawmakers asked for examples of effective collaborations that help farmers acquire technical and business skills. There was interest in expanding workforce training and agricultural education programs that prepare the next generation of farmers for management and ownership roles. Specifically, Committee members highlighted the important role of BOCES in preparing the next generation of farmers and asked whether BOCES programs are being adequately leveraged. Additionally, the Portrait of a
Graduate initiative was mentioned in the context of expanding agriculture-focused curricula that translate classroom learning into real farm and agribusiness outcomes.