Defines therapeutic agriculture for the purposes of community gardens

Latest action Oct 17, 2025

Defines therapeutic agriculture for the purposes of community gardens as the use of agricultural activities as a means of promoting physical, mental and emotional well-being, rehabilitation and therapy for certain individuals.

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Where it stands

Rejected by the executive.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

Vetoed

New York State Senate

Same as A2185, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Passed as A2185, the matching Assembly bill.

Amends the Agriculture and Markets Law.

Committee

Agriculture · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Agriculture · New York State Senate.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

The purpose of this legislation is to define therapeutic agriculture and clarify that it is eligible for grants and other benefits which are currently available to community gardens and their operations.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recorded votes

Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateJun 4, 2025Result: passedSenate vote on A2185, the matching Assembly bill.
(58) (0) (0) (5)
Vote: Committee vote · Agriculture
Senate AgricultureMay 14, 2025Result: passed
(8) (0) (0) (1)

Cosponsors

Albert A. Stirpe, Brian Manktelow and 10 more on Agora

Democratic6
Republican6

See the full list on nysenate.gov

The sponsor's argument

Why Michelle Hinchey says this is needed

Being outdoors has long been recognized for not only its physical bene- fits but also its mental health benefits. The Mayo Clinic health system reports "Spending time outdoors has been shown to reduce heart rate and muscle tension. Sunlight lowers blood pressure and increases vitamin D levels." Being outdoors, gardening and taking part in agricultural prac- tices such as tending crops or livestock, watering, and weeding can have a soothing effect and ease individual stress giving those suffering with physical or mental health conditions, disability, or other special needs an opportunity to tend to their body, mind and spirit. This bill defines therapeutic agriculture as the use of agricultural activities, including farming, gardening, and animal husbandry, as a means of promoting physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, rehabili- tation, and therapy for individuals with physical or mental health conditions, disabilities or other special needs. By putting the defmition of therapeutic agriculture into law, organiza- tions looking to deliver this form of therapy to those experiencing physical or mental health conditions, disability, or other special needs, will have access to greater resources through state grants and programs.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Full history

Oct 17, 2025
Tabled
TABLED
NY Assembly
Oct 16, 2025
Vetoed
VETOED MEMO.39
NY Assembly
Oct 9, 2025
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR
NY Assembly
Jun 4, 2025
3RD Reading CAL.1122
3RD READING CAL.1122
NY Senate
Jun 4, 2025
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate

Show full history (13 earlier events)

Jun 4, 2025
Substituted
SUBSTITUTED FOR S6330
NY Senate
May 29, 2025
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO SENATE
NY Assembly
May 29, 2025
Passed a chamber
PASSED ASSEMBLY
NY Assembly
May 29, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE
NY Senate
May 29, 2025
Reported out of committee
REPORTED
NY Assembly
May 29, 2025
Rules Report CAL.296
RULES REPORT CAL.296
NY Assembly
May 27, 2025
Reported out of committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES
NY Assembly
May 19, 2025
Advanced to Third Reading
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
NY Senate
May 15, 2025
2ND Report CAL.
2ND REPORT CAL.
NY Senate
May 14, 2025
1ST Report CAL.1122
1ST REPORT CAL.1122
NY Senate
Mar 11, 2025
Reported out of committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
NY Assembly
Mar 10, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE
NY Senate
Jan 15, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE
NY Assembly

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Cosponsors: The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Party colors: Parties are shown in the same neutral colors.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 22, 2026. About our data

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.

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