CAFO Victory for Foundation changes agriculture in recognizes weighed. dispute with APA. contributors. Page 8 Page 10 Page 6 Grassroots® WWW.NYFB.ORG THE VOICE OF NEW YORK AGRICULTURE January 2009 STATE ANNUAL MEETING 2008 THIS MONTH’S TOP STORY Paterson unveils budget proposal By JULIE SUAREZ [email protected] ALBANY — In what has been dubbed the “no fat, no fun” budget, Gov. David Paterson presented his Executive Budget proposal to the Legislature and the public on Dec. 16. Recognizing the tremendous fiscal crisis NEWLY-ELECTED New York Farm Bureau President Dean Norton, seated in the center, is seen with the NYFB Board of Directors being faced by the last month in Albany. state of New York, along with the pro- jected $1.5 billion deficit in the current Norton elected president fiscal year, the gover- ALBANY — New York Farm Bureau nor proposed a delegates last month elected Dean Norton, budget that contains a dairy farmer and agricultural consultant strong cost cutting from Batavia, as its president. Eric Ooms, measures, increases a dairy farmer from in fees, and a mixture Kinderhook, N.Y. PATERSON of some limited man- was elected as vice date relief proposals president. to help relieve the burden on local govern- Membership del- ments and schools from budget cutting. egates representing Paterson’s announcement came a full farmers from month earlier than normal, and should be around the state welcomed and acknowledged as a coura- cast ballots at the geous step forward in New York’s often con- State Annual troversial budget process. The governor has Meeting, held at actually taken the unusual step of present- L.J. D’ARRIGO of Whiteman, Osterman and Hanna talks with Oneida County Farm ing two separate budget documents for the NORTON the Marriott Hotel Bureau President Ben Simons. in Albany. legislature and public’s review at the same INSIDE: Norton, who is time — the 2009-10 fiscal year Executive More scenes elected for a two Meeting attracts thoughtful vendors Budget and a separate document which is from the SAM. year term, takes ALBANY — New York Farm Bureau agricultural services offered by his law largely similar to the cuts he proposed but Pages 12-13 over for John members were not the only ones to attend firm, including help with H2A visa appli- which were not adopted in a Nov. 18 special Lincoln, retiring last month’s State Annual Meeting. cations and compliance. session to eliminate the deficit in the cur- after 14 years as president A number of service providers also were “The agricultural law, when it comes to rent 2008-09 fiscal year. “I am proud to have the opportunity to on hand to meet with members. A few took visas, is so complicated and the forms are Before all of the criticism — both just and represent this organization during such a time to share their thoughts on farming, so complex that our job is to help the unjust — starts flying, it’s important to critical time for the farm families of New farmers and how their businesses can help. farmers complete these forms, deal with understand that we are in an unprecedented Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna fiscal situation. New York has long had a Please see PRESIDENT PG. 22 ® L.J. D’Arrigo talked to farmers about the Please see VENDORS PG. 23 ® Please see BUDGET PG. 22 ® Grassroots PRSRT STD Farmers protest EPA’s methane tax plan New York Farm Bureau US Postage PAID P.O. Box 5330 ALBANY, NY Farmers across New York have spoken out in large gasses, the EPA is developing regulations that would Albany, NY 12205-0330 PERMIT #370 numbers against an Environmental Protection Agency lump farms as small as 25 cows into the same category of (EPA) proposal that could cost dairy and livestock pro- regulation as an oil refinery or a coal plant. ducers more than $110 million per year. Got cows? A dairy farmer would be required to pay “It’s just staggering to think of the implications of this $175 per dairy cow and slightly less for beef cattle, if it goes through,” said Julie Suarez, director of public according to analysis by the American Farm Bureau policy for New York Farm Bureau. As part of a new authority to regulate greenhouse Please see EPA PG. 22 ® Page 2 Grassroots January 2009 ATAGLANCE who regularly participate in state lobby days, types of equipment farmers use, including know Cathy already from her work as computers and other office supplies, trucks, Director of the Senate Agriculture tractors, trailers and milking machines. Committee under Senator Young’s leader- For example, a grower who bought a com- ship,” said Suarez. “Cathy has worked in bine in 2008 can expense half of the entire agricultural and rural policy for the past purchase price in 2008 instead of having to eight years, and also worked for former take the expense in smaller chunks over time. Senator Patricia McGee. The new expensing rules, known as “She is well known as an enthusiastic and Section 179 for the section of the Internal hard worker, and is looking forward to Revenue Code they fall under, allow busi- working with the agricultural community ness owners to almost double the amount of on a more in-depth basis. She’s also looking equipment purchases that can be expensed forward to getting to know the newly elect- in 2008. Farmers can expense up to ed Congressional representatives in $250,000 of Section 179 property pur- Washington, D.C., and playing an active chased this year. Without the stimulus law, role in working to represent the interests of the expensing limit would have been our farm family members in national agri- $128,000. ROBERT HOKANSON receives a plaque of recognition for his years of dedicated serv- ice to NYFB from Julie Suarez, Director of Public Policy. cultural policy.” In some cases, businesses will be able to Remember equipment take advantage of both of these benefits. For Hokanson to retire, Mural for NYFB in Washington D.C.,” said Julie example, if a producer makes a $500,000 depreciation tax credit hired for National Affairs Suarez, NYFB director of public policy. “He equipment purchase, he can deduct is well known for his passion and commit- Before filing your taxes this year, farmers $250,000 for that piece of equipment and Robert Hokanson, better known in Farm ment, and while he certainly deserves an are reminded that the Economic Stimulus depreciate the remaining $250,000 under Bureau circles as “Beltway Bob,” has retired excellent retirement and we are all happy for Tax Act of 2008, passed by Congress last the 50 percent depreciation allowance. from NYFB and will be moving with his him, we will also miss February, provides a 50 percent special USDA to conduct wife, Suzy, to Savannah, Ga. him a great deal.” depreciation allowance, as well as an increase Hokanson spent more than six years with In the meantime, in the allowance for new equipment deduc- unwanted horse study NYFB, and both staff and membership will NYFB is also pleased tions for small businesses, including farms. WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to miss him dearly. A former dairy farmer, to announce the Depreciation is an annual allowance for the a request from AFBF, the United States Hokanson also worked for Cooperative recent hire of wear and tear, deterioration or aging of prop- Department of Agriculture is leading a study Extension in the North Country, and the Catherine Calvados erty. It comes in the form of an income tax to quantify impacts of unwanted and aban- State Senate Democratic conference as an Mural. Mural, a biol- deduction that allows a taxpayer to recover the doned horses. agriculture and local governments program ogy graduate from cost or other basis of certain property over sev- The study will be conducted by the associate prior to joining NYFB. He and his the State University eral years. Typically, the depreciation reduc- Animal Care division of the Animal & Plant wife plan on spending summers in the of New York at tion is spread across the equipment’s life. Health Inspection Service. It will character- North Country, enjoying their newly pur- MURAL Binghamton, has Under the law passed last year, taxpayers ize the type, history, ownership, and health chased summer sail boat home. already begun working for NYFB as the new are allowed to depreciate 50 percent of the status of unwanted horses entering animal “Bob has been an enthusiastic and tireless Associate Director of National Affairs. cost of property put into service between control facilities, rescue and retirement facil- advocate for the agricultural industry and “Many of our members, especially those Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2008. The law covers all ities, and auction markets. January 2009 Grassroots Page 3 Grassroots Big goals, big challenges January 2009 It has been a true honor to be selected as to slash funding for more than ever. your leader as we move into a new year and agricultural pro- I look forward to communicating and a new era in our state and national capitals. grams, as well as working with you on these and many more I have ambitious goals for this organiza- impose numerous issues, and hearing your concerns. tion that I hope will make us stronger and fees on farmers and Meanwhile, I want to thank John Lincoln even more influential in Albany and other businesses. for his gracious leadership over the past 14 Grassroots is published monthly by Washington, as we continue advocating for Farmers have to be years. He has accomplished so much, and set New York Farm Bureau as a member the farm families of New York and providing represented.