Section 309. Advisory council on agriculture

1. There shall be established
  within the department the advisory council on agriculture, to advise and
  make recommendations to the state agencies on  state  government  plans,
  policies  and  programs affecting agriculture, as outlined below, and in
  such areas as its experience and studies may indicate to be appropriate.
  The department  of  agriculture  and  markets  shall  provide  necessary
  secretariat and support services to the council.
    2. The advisory council on agriculture shall consist of eleven members
  appointed  by  the  governor  with the advice and consent of the senate,
  selected for their experience and expertise related to areas of  council
  responsibility.  At least five members of the council shall be operators
  of a commercial farm enterprise  and  at  least  two  members  shall  be
  representatives  of  local governments. The balance of the council shall
  be comprised of representatives of business or institutions  related  to
  agriculture.  Members  shall  be appointed for a term of three years and
  may serve until their successors are chosen provided, however,  that  of
  the  members  first appointed, three shall serve for a term of one year,
  three shall serve for a term of two years, and three shall serve  for  a
  term  of  three  years.  Members shall serve without salary but shall be
  entitled  to  reimbursement  of  their  ordinary  and  necessary  travel
  expenses. The members of the council shall elect a chairman.
    3.  The  duties  and  responsibilities  of  the  advisory  council  on
  agriculture as they pertain to agricultural districts shall include, but
  not be limited to, providing timely advice, comments and recommendations
  to the commissioner in regard to:
    a. the establishment of agricultural districts;
    b. the eight year review of agricultural districts; and
    c. the establishment of and any revision to  the  land  classification
  system  used  in  connection  with  the  determination  of  agricultural
  assessment values.
    The commissioner may delegate to the council  such  additional  duties
  and responsibilities as he deems necessary.
    4.  The  duties  and  responsibilities  of  the  advisory  council  on
  agriculture shall include, but  not  be  limited  to,  providing  timely
  advice, comments and recommendations to the state board of real property
  services  in  regard  to  the  establishment  of agricultural assessment
  values.
    5. The advisory council on agriculture shall advise  the  commissioner
  and  other  state  agency  heads on state government plans, policies and
  programs affecting farming and the agricultural industry of this  state.
  Concerned  state  agencies  shall  be  encouraged to establish a working
  relationship with the council and shall fully cooperate with the council
  in any requests it shall make.
    6. The advisory council on agriculture may ask  other  individuals  to
  attend  its  meetings  or work with it on an occasional or regular basis
  provided, however, that it shall invite participation by the chairman of
  the state soil and water conservation committee and the dean of the  New
  York   state  college  of  agriculture  and  life  sciences  at  Cornell
  university. The advisory council on agriculture shall set the  time  and
  place of its meetings, and shall hold at least four meetings per year.
    7.  The advisory council on agriculture shall file a written report to
  the governor and the legislature by April first each year concerning its
  activities during the previous year and its program expectations for the
  succeeding year.
    8. The advisory council on agriculture shall advise  the  commissioner
  in regards to whether particular land uses are agricultural in nature.