The State Senate Thursday voted to approve two tax cut measures sponsored by Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, including one that would reduce New York’s estate tax on family farms.

The measures are components of the Senate’s “Planting Seeds” agriculture initiative that was drafted by Sen. Ritchie, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

“These bills will help by cutting the cost of doing business, strengthening farmers' bottom lines and helping to keep family farms in business, from generation to generation,” Ritchie said.

The first bill, S.6706, would reduce New York’s estate tax on farms. Ritchie worked for a reduction in the estate tax two years ago, but that won’t be fully effective until 2019. This new bill would accelerate and increase the tax reduction, aimed at making it easier to transition farm businesses from generation to generation.

Ritchie believes the measure is especially important as the average age of farmers continues to creep higher, and taxes can make it more difficult to keep farm businesses in a family. The average age of farmers is 57. New York is one of only 15 states with an estate tax on family farms.

The measure is supported by the New York Farm Bureau, which said the bill will help ensure that family farms "will continue to produce food for years to come."

The second bill, S.6707, would lower income taxes for small- and mid-sized farmers, making the first 20 percent of their income tax-free. Family farms, partnerships and LLCs with income up to $350,000 a year would be eligible for the tax break.