Monticello, NY – The Sullivan County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board (AFPB), established by the Sullivan County Legislature in 1992, is seeking three new members:
- One position for an active farmer
- One position for an active farmer and/or other agricultural stakeholder and/or stakeholder from an organization dedicated to agricultural land preservation.
- One position for an agri-business
The term “active farmer” is defined by the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board as a person who actively farms land that he or she either owns or rents, and that falls within one of the following categories:
- not less than seven acres of land used as a single operation for the production for sale of crops, livestock or livestock products of an average gross sales value of ten thousand dollars or more; or,
- less than seven acres used as a single operation for the production for sale of crops, livestock or livestock products of an average gross sales value of fifty thousand dollars or more.
New terms will be for four years, after a new appointment and confirmation by the Sullivan County Legislature. Interested persons must reside in Sullivan County, and should send a letter of interest and statement of qualifications to AnnMarie Martin, Clerk to the Sullivan County Legislature, Sullivan County Government Center, 100 North Street, PO Box 5012, Monticello, NY 12701 or by email to annmarie.martin@sullivanny.us by December 29, 2023.
Under Article 25AA of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, counties are required to establish agricultural and farmland protection boards to assist in review of public land acquisition, review of non-farm projects within New York State Certified Agricultural Districts, formation and review of Agricultural Districts and the development and implementation of county and municipal agricultural and farmland protection plans.
The Sullivan County AFPB generally meets quarterly. During the 30-day window to include viable agricultural land into the New York State Certified Agricultural Districts, which occurs annually in April, members may participate in site visits to evaluate applications for inclusion into the Agricultural Districts. In addition, during the eight-year comprehensive review of an Agricultural District, members meet to review proposed modifications and prepare recommendations for the County Legislature.
The County is also updating their Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan in 2024, and the Board will be responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the plan.