A “Grown in New York” plan, legislation introduced by Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Sen. Patty Ritchie, takes aim at strengthening the state’s $5.2 billion agriculture industry with several provisions.

Ritchie says her bill would expand markets for New York-grown products, improve the bottom lines of family farms, and invest in the future of farming.

“Agriculture is New York’s leading industry, and Senate Republicans have been at the forefront of efforts to bolster agriculture and help farmers grow,” said Ritchie, a Republican from Heuvelton representing the 48th Senate District, which includes most of western St. Lawrence County.

“Over the past two years, we have worked to restore budget cuts to vital marketing, research, and educational programs farmers depend on to strengthen their bottom line. ‘Grown in New York’ is the Senate Republican plan to build on that success and help farmers grow and build for the future.”

Ritchie was joined at a news conference in the Capitol by other members of the committee, as well as leaders of the New York Farm Bureau.

According to a news release from Sen. Ritchie, the plan would:

• reduce taxes on farmers

• eliminate the burdensome 18-a energy tax surcharge

• curtail red tape and outdated regulations

• improve farmers’ access to customers by expanding farmers markets and food hubs

• put more New York-grown products in schools and government facilities

• encourage the growth of New York’s maple and wine industries

• put idled farmland back in production

• improve farm safety.