Monticello, NY – Between April 1 and 30, Sullivan County is accepting applications from property owners seeking to be included in New York State Agricultural Districts 1 and 4.
New York State Agricultural Districts are geographic areas consisting predominantly of viable agricultural land. Ag operations within the districts are afforded benefits and protections to promote the continuation of farming and the preservation of agricultural land. These benefits include protection of farm operations from unreasonably restrictive local laws, limitations on assessments for newly formed benefit districts, and notification to local governments of projects that could adversely affect farmland.
There are two New York State Agricultural Districts in Sullivan County. Agricultural District 1 encompasses towns in northern and western Sullivan County, and Agricultural District 4 covers the County’s eastern and southern towns.
For parcels to be included in an Ag District, they must be predominantly viable agricultural land. New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Law defines “viable agricultural land” as land “highly suitable for agricultural production and which will continue to be economically feasible for such use if real property taxes, farm use restrictions and speculative activities are limited to levels approximating those in commercial agricultural areas not influenced by the proximity of non-agricultural development.”
Applications are available by calling Melinda Meddaugh at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County at 845-292-6180, or by emailing her at mm2592@cornell.edu.
Applications will be reviewed by the Sullivan County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board, who will then make recommendations to the County Legislature regarding property to be added to the districts this year. The County Legislature will hold a public hearing and then vote on the approval of each recommended addition.
Subsequent to County approval, an updated district map with a report showing the new parcels for inclusion in the districts will be submitted to the State Department of Agriculture and Markets for its approval. Upon approval by Agriculture and Markets, each property owner will be notified by mail, and the real property tax records for each parcel will be updated. Applicants will receive notification by the fall.
More information on the benefits of agricultural districts, as well as access to maps of Sullivan County’s agricultural districts, is available on the Sullivan County website at www.co.sullivan.ny.us. Type “Agricultural Districts” in the search box, or click on “Agricultural Districts” from the Planning Division page.