Jun 13, 2012

New York bill aids apples

On June 4, a handful of New York state assemblymen and senators announced the creation of new legislation, the Family Farmers and Apple Growers Relief Act, to help apple and other growers in the state who’ve lost a significant amount of crop to extreme weather this year.

At the beginning of the 2012 growing season, New York farmers experienced widespread damage and loss to their crops as a result of an extremely rare and severe frost. Cornell’s Lake Erie Regional Research Laboratory has estimated crop losses for grapes at 40-50 percent, cherries at 100 percent, peaches at 90 percent and apples at 50 percent. While the level of crop loss varies based on region, elevation and stage of growth, there is a high probability that many farmers will face severe economic losses, according to the office of state Assemblyman Jim Tedisco.

New York is the second largest apple-producing state in the nation. The state’s 694 apple farms employ 10,000 people and support another 7,500 jobs indirectly, according to the New York Apple Association. The apple industry’s economic impact on the state’s economy is valued at $233 million.

The Family Farmers and Apple Growers Relief Act would establish a specialized tax credit for the 2012 tax year that would allow farmers to claim 35 percent of their crop losses, according to Tedisco’s office.

“We certainly appreciate all the help and assistance from the Legislature to apple growers to ease the pain that they might endure this year,” said Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association.