Sullivan County Accepting Agricultural District Applications Through April 30

MONTICELLO, NY — Sullivan County is accepting applications from property owners seeking to have their land included in New York State Agricultural Districts 1 and 4 during a 30-day window that runs from April 1 through April 30.

Agricultural districts are geographic areas made up primarily of viable agricultural land. Farms within the districts receive benefits and protections intended to support continued agricultural use and help preserve farmland.

Those benefits include protection of farm operations from unreasonably restrictive local laws, limits on assessments for newly formed benefit districts, and notification to local governments of projects that could adversely affect farmland.

Sullivan County has two state-designated agricultural districts. Agricultural District 1 includes towns in northern and western parts of the county, while Agricultural District 4 covers eastern and southern towns.

To be included, parcels must consist predominantly of viable agricultural land. Under New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Law, viable agricultural land is defined as land highly suitable for agricultural production that will remain economically feasible for such use if property taxes, farm use restrictions and speculative activities remain at levels similar to commercial agricultural areas not affected by nearby non-agricultural development.

During the application window, property owners may request that their land be added to an agricultural district.

Applications are available by contacting Melinda Meddaugh at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County by phone at 845-292-6180, extension 116, or by email at mm2592@cornell.edu.

Applications will be reviewed by the Sullivan County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board, which will make recommendations to the Sullivan County Legislature on properties proposed for inclusion this year. The Legislature will hold a public hearing and vote on each recommended addition.

Following county approval, an updated district map and report identifying the new parcels will be submitted to the state Department of Agriculture and Markets for final approval. Property owners will be notified by mail once the state approves the additions, and real property tax records will be updated. Applicants are expected to receive notification by the winter.

More information about agricultural districts and maps of Sullivan County’s districts are available at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County website.