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As the public looks for opportunities to advance policies and programs that protect health and the environment in the absence of federal programs, New York State Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick (R-NY) has introduced legislation (S1306) that would exempt farmland that is in transition to certified organic practices from property tax for up to three years. Creative proposals like this will be critical to the elimination of petrochemical pesticides and fertilizers that contribute to health, biodiversity, and climate crises. 

Reuters' P.J. Huffstutter and Leah Douglas reported that: “[T]he U.S. Department of Agriculture has frozen some funding for farmers as it goes through a sweeping review, despite assurances from the Trump administration that programs helping farmers would not be affected in the government overhaul. The impact has been immediate and wide-ranging, from cash assistance for ranchers to fix cattle watering systems to help for corn growers wanting to plant cover crops that curb wind erosion.” Among the funding programs affected are several upon which organic farmers depend, including the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP), which helps organic farms and businesses offset certification costs. Without it, certification costs will increase significantly in 2025 and may force some farms to abandon organic certification altogether. 

>> Tell your state legislators and the governor to support the transition to organic with state tax policy.

In view of the uncertainty introduced by the federal funding freeze and the documented benefits of transitioning to organic production, states need to step in to support and incentivize organic as a common good that protects health and the environment and saves taxpayer costs associated with the externalities of chemical-intensive farming. These costs include those associated with fires, floods, and severe weather; daily health and cleanup expenses associated with contamination of air, land, and water; crop and productivity losses; and depressed ecosystem services (including loss of pollinators). 

State legislation like S1306 and grassroots-powered action have become more important in tackling these urgent health and environmental crises. Incentives to adopt organic practices are one important and effective way to stop the use of petrochemical pesticides and fertilizers that release greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane) while enhancing the health of soil microbial life and the drawdown of atmospheric carbon sequestration. 

• If you are a New York resident, consider reaching out to your elected officials to voice your support for S1306.
• If you live in another state, ask your governor and state legislators to promote similar legislation. 

>> Tell your state legislators and governor to support the transition to organic with state tax policy. 

The targets for this Action are the U.S. state governors and state legislatures.

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↪️ For more information, please stay tuned for the upcoming Daily News post on February 18, 2025.