Authorizes the commissioner of agriculture and markets to create an annual award to recognize school staff involved in a farm-to-school program or school garden.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
7007--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 29, 2017
___________
Introduced by M. of A. WOERNER -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Education -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered
reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to authorize the commissioner of agriculture and markets to
create an annual award to recognize school staff involved in a farm-
to-school program or school garden
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The commissioner of agriculture and markets is hereby
2 authorized and directed to create an award to be presented every year
3 hereafter in recognition of school staff that collectively developed an
4 exceptional farm-to-school program or school garden at their place of
5 employment. The commissioner of agriculture and markets shall be
6 authorized to provide funds for this award only to the extent that an
7 appropriation is available for this act's specific purpose.
8 § 2. (a) Candidates can be nominated by their school's principal,
9 their peers, or community members. The commissioner of agriculture and
10 markets is instructed to seek candidates with at least the qualities
11 prescribed in this section, though additional criteria not prescribed
12 here may be used when evaluating candidates. With respect to their
13 school's farm-to-school program or school garden candidates should:
14 (i) demonstrate excellence in the field, guiding students of all back-
15 grounds and abilities to achieve excellence;
16 (ii) consistently demonstrate a positive impact on student achieve-
17 ment;
18 (iii) collaborate with colleagues, students, and families to create a
19 school culture of respect and success;
20 (iv) demonstrate leadership and innovation in and outside of the
21 classroom walls that embodies lifelong learning; and
22 (v) express themselves in an engaging and articulate way.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07035-07-7
A. 7007--A 2
1 (b) For each quality listed in subdivision (a) of this section,
2 specific examples and data shall be provided on behalf of each group of
3 candidates. However, primarily quantitative responses should not be
4 favored where quantitative data obscures qualitative information
5 concerning student experiences. Special consideration should be given to
6 those candidates that integrate local or regional agricultural products
7 of any kind in to the classroom, cafeteria, and curriculum, or that have
8 founded school gardens or mini-farms.
9 § 3. Awards shall consist of a credit covering any tuition and fees
10 incurred subsequent to an awardee's enrollment in any part of SUNY or
11 CUNY, if such enrollment occurs. This credit will be capped at the
12 tuition and fees associated with a maximum of six credit hours.
13 § 4. Awards shall be given each year at the New York state fair in
14 consultation with the state fair's agriculture department, the director
15 of the state fair and the commissioner of education. The first such
16 award will be granted in the year following the year of enactment.
17 § 5. This act shall take effect immediately.