Appellate Court Hears Case of Farmworker Trying to Organize Union

Check out this https://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/suit-to-allow-farmworker-organizing-heard-in-albany-appeals-court-20190212 story from the Watertown Daily Times.

Corn Growers Bash Bud Light Super Bowl Ad

Interesting.

Another company bashing an ag product.

Corn growers not thrilled with Budweiser.

Check this out http://fortune.com/2019/02/04/corn-farmers-bud-light-super-bowl/?fbclid=IwAR1lUfT_js3mxlIi1m8npIsSNVf9lYExlYv9zRD2IaMjtF9eORe7gIHUI8E

Maple Weekend 2019 Coming Up in March

Can't wait for maple season!!

Wee Stinky Blooming Tonight

A Cornell photo of Wee Stinky

Wee Stinky, the corpse flower at Cornell University, is set to open and bloom tonight (Dec. 14).

Cornell officials states that about 1 p.m. Dec. 14, "Wee Stinky’s spathe started pulling back from the spadix, the earliest onset for any of our flowerings here at Cornell. So tonight is the night if you want to get a whiff up close."

The full name of the plant is titan arum. The corpse flower and plants “emits a powerful scent that smells like rotting meat to attract carrion flies and other insects that spread pollen to other Titan Arums,” according to Cornell.

For more information, go to http://cornellalumnimagazine.com/meet-wee-stinky/ to read more about Wee Stinky.

Real Property Tax Law Exemption for Farm Buildings Extended

From Gov. Cuomo's office:

The state's Real Property Tax Law exemption on farm buildings, which provides continued tax relief for New York farmers and growers, has been extended.

The Real Property Tax Law exempts agricultural producers from paying real property tax on buildings that are essential to the production of agricultural or horticultural products, such as temporary greenhouses, dairy barns and exercise arenas for horse-boarding operations. 

 

"New York's agricultural industry is a major sector of our economy, and it's critical that we continue to support local farmers and growers," said Gov. Andrew Cuomo in announcing the extension.

"This tax exemption will help New York's hard-working agricultural producers invest in their farms and grow their businesses, and as a result increase competitiveness and productivity for years to come," he said

The Real Property Tax Law exemption was extended for the next 10 years and applies to newly constructed and re-constructed agricultural buildings through Jan. 1, 2029. Since it was last renewed in 2008, the exemption for farm structures is estimated to have saved New York farmers more than $112.8 million. 

The exemption has helped support the growth of New York's agricultural industry by allowing farmers and growers to use the money saved to invest in their operations, purchase new equipment and modernize facilities, which increases the farms' competitiveness and profitability.

 

Agricultural buildings have been exempt from state taxation for decades, but the law granting the exemption was set to expire on New Year's Day 2019. The new law, sponsored by Assemblyman Bill Magee and Sen. Patty Ritchie -- chairs of the Assembly and Senate ag committees, respecftively -- amends New York State's Real Property Tax Law to extend the tax break and ensure it will remain in effect for the next decade.

 

The law prohibits tax increases based on the value of construction or improvement of structures that are used for essential agricultural operations. That includes the cultivation, harvest and storage of commodities; the feeding, breeding and management of livestock; and housing for farm employees. 

Housing for immediate family members is not covered by the exemption unless the family members are non-owners and critical to the commercial operation of the farm.

 

A complete list of rules regarding the exemption can be found at this link https://www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/publications/orpts/farmbuilding.pdf

Senate-House Committee Leadership Reach Agreement on Farm Bill

Check out this story from the Watertown Daily Times about the Farm Bill.

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/senate-house-committee-leadership-reach-agreement-on-farm-bill-20181130 to see the story.

Happy thanksgiving!