I, Nelson A. Rockefeller, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the State of New York, and as Governor of the State of New York, by executive order do hereby establish in the Department of Agriculture and Markets an Agricultural Resources Commission to encourage the science of agriculture in the State, to provide for the participation of agriculture in economic planning and to coordinate planning in agriculture and related activities.

Such Commission shall consist of nine voting members to be appointed by the Governor, whose terms of office shall be three years, except that upon establishment of the Commission, three of the initial appointments shall be for a term of one year, three for a term of two years and three for a term of three years. The Governor shall designate a chairman from among the appointed members. The Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets, the Director of the Office of Planning Coordination, the Dean of the New York State College of Agriculture, the Commissioner of Commerce and the Commissioner of Conservation shall serve, ex officio, as non-voting members of the Commission.

The Commission shall make studies of farm and agribusiness activities throughout the State; the nature, extent and specific causes of changes in farm and agribusiness growth; the spread of nonfarm activities in rural areas; and the existent and emerging relationships between agriculture and urban land uses.

The Commission shall develop recommendations regarding methods for reconciling urban growth with a strong agricultural economy in the State, including the possibility of identifying prime agricultural areas.

The Commission shall encourage close liaison between the Department of Agriculture and Markets and other departments and agencies of both the State and Federal Governments in matters affecting agriculture and agribusiness, including comprehensive land use planning, public acquisition of lands, use and management of water resources, regulation of waste disposal and preparation of general and comprehensive plans for the extension of public services.

The Commission shall cooperate with the Office of Planning Coordination in activities relating to agricultural land use and state-wide planning.

In exercising its powers, functions and duties, the Commission shall be responsible to the Governor and shall consult and work closely with the Department of Agriculture and Markets. The Commission shall report annually to the Governor and to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets.

The Commission may appoint an executive director and assign to such director such powers, functions and duties as it deems appropriate. The Commission may employ such additional personnel as it deems necessary or desirable to fulfill the purposes of this order.