It’s really exciting to continue to grow the ag land in the county and to have these many that were recommended for inclusion.”

Melinda Meddaugh, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County

RECOMMENDED FARMLANDS

The Sullivan County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board recommended that the following properties be included in one of the county’s agricultural districts:

• The No Reins Stable (Lowrey), 85 Lenape Lake Ext., Livingston Manor. Total acres 69.51, used to support a commercial horse stable. Town of Liberty, Agricultural District #1.

• Moor Acres Farm Property (El/Bey), State Rte. 17B, Hortonville. Total acres 13.07, used to support herb, vegetable, and orchard production. Town of Delaware, Agricultural District #1.

• Wild Roots Farm (Gillingham/Cattail Summit LLC), 669 & 734 Cattail Rd., Livingston Manor. Total acres 248.74, used to support a small vegetable, livestock, and hay farm. Town of Liberty/Callicoon (Agricultural District #1).

• Killian (Pat’s Ag Venture), 59 and 315 Benton Hollow Rd., Liberty. Total acres 82.25, used to support a small vegetable operation. Town of Liberty (Agricultural District #4).

• Good Seouls Farm (Tilley), 416 Roosa Gap Rd., Bloomingburg. Total acres 33.48, used to support orchard, vegetable, and livestock operations. Town of Mamakating (Agricultural District #4).

• The Himalayan Hillside Farm (Sanders), 34 Pickles Rd., Bloomingburg. Total acres 9.98, used to support orchard, vegetable, and livestock operations. Town of Mamakating, Agricultural District #4.

The following applicant was not recommended for inclusion in the district:

• Buffalo Colony Corporation, 302 Todd Rd., Woodbourne. Farm uses are limited on this 103-acre parcel. Town of Fallsburg, Agricultural District #4.

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Seven property owners, 13 parcels, and 458 acres are poised to join the Sullivan County Agricultural District, which gives farmland an added layer of protection.

The Sullivan County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board recommended the parcels after conducting a review. Farmlands in the agricultural district are protected against nuisance lawsuits, overly restrictive laws, and certain types of eminent domain cases, said Melinda Meddaugh, Agriculture and Food Systems Issue Leader with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County. She announced the board’s recommendations at the July 25 meeting of the county legislature.

Adding parcels to the district is like giving them the “right to farm,” she said.

Agricultural districts are established through the NYS Agriculture and Markets Law and coordinated at the county level. Meddaugh said they follow best management practices while considering the public’s safety.

The farmland protection board rejected one application, from the Town of Fallsburg. The applicant “did not show enough of a commitment to agriculture at this time or does not have viable agricultural land,” the board said.

Meddaugh said the board reviews applications in concert with county officials Heather Brown, the commissioner of Planning and Community Development, and Chris Knapp, the director of Real Property Tax Services. They determine each parcel’s agricultural viability, and whether the applicant has started to farm or has invested in the farm. They visit the properties and review their ownership histories and associated maps.

Growing the ag lands

Two of the recommended applicants are existing farmers. The rest are starting out. Only active farms are eligible for inclusion in the agricultural district.

“It’s really exciting to continue to grow the ag land in the county and to have these many that were recommended for inclusion,” Meddaugh told legislators.

The next step is for legislators to review the recommendations and ask questions. Then they’ll take a vote, which is expected in August.

If the legislature approves, the farmland protection board will make the parcels’ new designations official by September or October.

Agricultural districts can cover a big geographical area. Some are grouped together, while others are more isolated. Sullivan County has two agricultural districts, one that covers much of the river valley to the north and east of Tusten, and the other concentrated in the northeast, near Neversink and Fallsburg.

Meddaugh said the Cornell Cooperative Extension is “a subordinate governmental agency with an educational mission that operates under a form of organization and administration approved by Cornell University as agent for the State of New York, along with the County Agricultural Board.” The extension notifies municipalities of applications, gathers information, conducts property visits, and reviews applications to provide the legislature with recommendations and a final report.

For more information or to apply, visit here. 

See related story, “New to farming? Here’s help."