NY Farm Bureau President David Fisher farmer said many challenges exist in rural communities across the state as farm families look to rebound following years of low commodity prices, extreme weather events, trade barriers and mounting regulations.

Fisher, a Madrid dairy farmer and New York Farm Bureau president, said Gov. Andrew Cuomo recognizes that this will be a challenging year in Albany.

“Fortunately, Governor Cuomo is proposing significant tax cuts in his State of the State that are priorities of New York Farm Bureau,” Fisher said. “These include tripling the Current Income Exclusion for farmers who file under the personal income tax. The Governor estimates that this will reduce taxable income and liability for estimated 4,000 farmers. He is also proposing to make the Investment Tax Credit refundable for taxpayers whose primary source of income is from farming operations, allowing farm families to receive the full benefit of their credits earned.

Fisher also said governor is also looking to expand the procurement of New York farm products in schools by expanding the New York Thursday program. New York Farm Bureau also supports further deregulating craft beverage laws and expanding broadband and cell service to rural areas.

“New York Farm Bureau believes that by working together, we can accomplish many of the goals that unite us all to benefit agriculture, a leading economic engine in this state that we all need,” Fisher said.