Sullivan County Eyes Community Preservation Act to Protect Farmland: What You Need to Know

Sullivan County is considering joining the Hudson Valley Community Preservation Act (HVCPA), which would designate funds to land preservation efforts locally through a real estate transfer fee.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County is working with the County Legislature and the Orange County Land Trust to explore how this new policy could help balance growth and conservation in the county.

Under a Community Preservation Act (CPA), New York municipalities can impose a small real estate transfer tax on land within designated boundaries and use those funds to preserve farmland, water and natural resources, and open spaces.

Michael Sweeton, Community Liaison of the Orange County Land Trust, said there’s been strong interest from Sullivan County farmers in tools that would promote farmland preservation. “[Farmers] see the importance economically, environmentally, and socially from preserving active farms,” said Sweeton.

While participating in a community preservation act isn’t for everyone, Sweeton says, many farmers in Sullivan County see the value. “They want to see the land staying in productive agriculture. I think it’s an exciting time in Sullivan County.”

The Hudson Valley Community Preservation Act authorizes community preservation funds in Westchester, Ulster, and Putnam counties, as well as individual towns outside of these counties including Warwick.

Sullivan County isn’t the first county to consider joining the HVCPA. In 2019, former New York State Senator Jen Metzger signed into law to add Ulster County to the Act, which gives Ulster County municipalities the ability to establish a Community Preservation Fund.

The possibility of implementing the CPA is just one of several farmland preservation projects Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County is spearheading.

Sullivan County’s Cornell Cooperative Extension is currently seeking farm owners interested in applying for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Farmland Protection Implementation Grants Program. The deadline to submit a pre-application form is Friday, August 22, 2025.

You can find more information about how a Community Preservation Act works on the Extension’s website or by emailing Melinda Meddaugh at mm2592@cornell.edu or Michael Sweeton at michael@oclt.org.

Image: Community members hold sign in support of Bethel’s Right to Farm (Photo Credit: Sullivan County Cornell Cooperative Extension)