Bill > S03588

This bill amends the Agriculture and Markets Law to establish a Community Gardens Task Force. The Task Force, chaired by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets, will identify and develop ways to encourage state agencies, municipalities, and private parties to establish and expand community gardens. The Task Force's goals include promoting the creation and expansion of community gardens, encouraging cooperation between community gardens and food assistance programs, and increasing the benefits of community gardens to local communities. The Task Force must submit a report every five years on the status of community gardens in New York, including an assessment of successes, failures, and barriers, as well as an action plan for doubling the number of community gardens in the state.