2021 New York Laws
AGM - Agriculture and Markets
Article 2-C - Community Gardens
31-J - Community Gardens Task Force.

Universal Citation:
NY Agric & Mkts L § 31-J (2021)
Learn more This media-neutral citation is based on the American Association of Law Libraries Universal Citation Guide and is not necessarily the official citation.
§  31-j. Community gardens task force. 1. The commissioner may convene
a community gardens task force to identify and develop ways to encourage
state agencies, municipalities and  private  parties  to  establish  and
expand community gardens and the activities conducted by such gardens.
  2.  The  task  force  shall be chaired by the commissioner, or by such
officer or employee of the department as  shall  be  designated  by  the
commissioner.   The   membership   of   the   task   force  may  include
representation  from  appropriate  state  agencies  and   members   that
represent existing community gardens, counties, cities, towns, villages,
school  districts,  other  special use districts, public authorities and
cooperative extension services.
  3. The commissioner, may request the assistance of state  agencies  to
carry out the work of the task force.
  4.  (a)  The  goals of the task force may include, but are not limited
to, the study, evaluation and development  of  recommendations:  (i)  to
encourage  the establishment and expansion of community gardens by state
agencies, municipal governments and private parties, (ii)  to  encourage
cooperation  between  the activities and operations of community gardens
and provision  of  donated  food  to  local  voluntary  food  assistance
programs  for the poor and disadvantaged, (iii) to increase the benefits
that community gardens may provide to the local community in which  they
are   located,   (iv)  to  encourage  cooperation  with  community-based
organizations to increase the  opportunities  for  seniors,  those  aged
sixty  years  of  age or older, to participate in community gardens, and
(v) to encourage the expansion of the production  of  fresh  fruits  and
vegetables  in  areas  served  by  community  gardens so that such fresh
produce can be consumed locally to help encourage healthier life  styles
and  wellness,  and  to help reduce the incidence of adult and childhood
obesity.

(b) In achieving the goals of the task force, the task force may consider recommendations that: (i) encourage the execution of conservation easements by state agencies, municipalities or private parties to establish or protect community gardens, (ii) encourage the creation of mechanisms to transfer development rights to protect community gardens or encourage the donation or lease of lands for community gardens, (iii) development of model zoning codes, local land use laws or other municipal policies that could encourage the establishment or retention of community gardens, and (iv) any other activity to achieve the goals deemed appropriate by the task force according to the provisions of this article.

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