The Columbia Paper reports that Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) announced Dec. 19 that a bill she authored to support older farmers has been enacted into law (Chp.497 of 2014). Barrett says the average age of farmers is now 57-years-old, and the bill requires that the Department of Agriculture and Markets work with the Office of the Aging and look into all programs and services provided by the state to make sure they support the needs of aging famers in all agricultural sectors. “This legislation looks to provide support to aging farmers who want to remain on the farm.... The New York Farm Bureau would like to thank Assemblywoman Barrett for her leadership on this bill. As we look to attract new farmers to agriculture, it ensures the older generation is not forgotten,” said Jeff Williams, New York Farm Bureau Public Policy Director. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.