The Senate approved a “Farming First” legislative package this week that will help promote and support Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry, according to Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee Chairman Senator Elder Vogel (R-47).
The package, which includes a bill sponsored by Senator Vogel to help new farmers get started in the industry, now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
“These bills are key parts of our effort to help maintain the viability and profitability of Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry now and for years to come,” said Senator Vogel, who operates a family farm in Beaver County that was established in the late 1800s. “The Farming First package will help ensure that our farmers can prosper. This is especially important for Pennsylvania’s dairy farms in today’s challenging marketplace.”
Senator Vogel was a key speaker at a Wednesday press conference by Senate Republicans on the Farming First package.
Senator Vogel’s bill, Senate Bill 478, would provide a personal income tax credit for landowners who lease or sell their land, buildings and equipment to beginning farmers. Landowners would receive a one-time personal income tax credit for the sale of property or a multi-year tax credit for the lease of property. The legislation requires all leases be enforced through written agreements and that the sale of property be for fair market value in order to qualify for the tax credit.
For every farmer under the age of 35 in Pennsylvania there are four farmers over the age of 65. Of the 7.7 million acres of farmland across Pennsylvania, 41 percent is managed by a farmer 55 years of age or older and 11 percent of that land is expected to transfer in the next five years.
“The facts clearly show the ‘graying’ of Pennsylvania’s farming industry. That is an issue that we need to quickly address as a state. I have heard throughout the state that the top hurdle facing new farmers is finding affordable farmland,” said Senator Vogel. “The tax credits provided under my bill would reward those landowners who help new farmers. None of our neighboring states offer a similar tax credit program, so this is a way to show the agriculture community that Pennsylvania is open for business.”
In addition to Senate Bills 478, the other bills in the “Farming First” package would:
- Change the state’s farmland preservation program to allow farmers more flexibility for building or subdividing residences. Senate Bill 145, sponsored by Senator Gene Yaw (R-23).
- Update Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Code to allow the transportation of large farm equipment. Senate Bill 338, sponsored by Senator Wayne Langerholc (R-35).
- Set commonsense safety standards and removing costly requirements for barn weddings and other social events on farms. Senate Bill 453, sponsored by Senator Judy Ward (R-30).
- Ease restrictions on the use of farmland for farm-related tourism and entertainment activities. Senate Bill 583, sponsored by Senator Ryan Aument (R-36).
- Create the Pennsylvania Dairy Future Commission to bring together all stakeholders in the industry. Senate Bill 585, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-34).
- Exempt milk haulers from weather-related travel bans. Senate Bill 588, sponsored by Senator Judy Ward.
The “Farming First” package, which now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration, builds on the longstanding efforts of Senate Republicans to support Pennsylvania’s farm families and maintain agriculture’s status as the state’s top industry.
Pennsylvania’s 59,000 farm families manage more than 7.7 million acres of farmland. The agriculture industry generates more than $7.5 billion in cash receipts annually.
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