If you are citizen of an European Union member nation, you may not use this service unless you are at least 16 years old.
You already know Dokkio is an AI-powered assistant to organize & manage your digital files & messages. Very soon, Dokkio will support Outlook as well as One Drive. Check it out today!

Economic Hurdles to Farm Production

Page history last edited by hackett.landis@... 3 years, 5 months ago

Issue Brief

Goal Statement one sentence that further defines the topic

Farms provide food to millions of Americans. Threats to production exist including high property taxes, inflating minimum wages, and lack of labor. These issues may harm the amount a farm is able to produce, potentially threatening food security.

Local/State/National Information additional information on this topic at the local, state, national, global level

Policy Options / Model Programs link to profiles of specific policies or program models, grouped by type

Farm Minimum Wage- New York State may offer a different minimum wage for farm labor as it increases the state minimum. This is already done with workers who earn tips. By paying farm laborers a slightly lower wage than other laborers, farmer and farm advocacy group interests in the affordability of labor may be protected. Additionally, it would help small farmers to keep more of their profits.
Farm Property Tax- The counties in New York State may offer a lower property tax rate for properties that are deemed agricultural. Though agricultural assessment tax rates do tend to be lower than property tax rates, not all farmers seek this alternative or are aware of its existence. A county-level system of property taxation for farms may be more inclusive and reach more citizens.

Glossary of Terms key words or phrases that the layperson needs to know to understand this issue

Crop Insurance- An insurance agreement between an insurer and an insuree to pay a certain amount of money for lost profits and products in the event of an unforeseen event destroying the insuree’s crops (USDA 2013).
Agricultural Assessment- An alternative taxation program administered under the USDA to help with property tax burdens on farmers (Department of Taxation and Finance 2016a).
Property Tax Cap- A New York State regulation that places a statewide maximum on the percentage local governments can tax property at (NYS Department of Taxation and Finance 2016b).

Contributor(s): Eric Brower