Ulster accepting ag district applications

By Hallie Arnold , Freeman staff Daily Freeman Wednesday, March 3, 2005

KINGSTON - As development pressure increases in Ulster County, driving up land and housing prices, it also threatens to encroach on one of the county's most valuable resources: agriculture.

Inclusion in the county's state-certified agricultural districts can help Ulster County farmers stay viable by giving them the legal protection they need to keep afloat. Starting March 1, local farmers not already participating in the county's agricultural district program can apply to the county, which is holding an enrollment period for the districts through the end of the month.

"I think the benefit that's the most sought after by farmers from the ag district laws is that provision in it that protects farms from unreasonably restrictive local ordinances," said Teresa Rusinek, horticulture and agricultural issue educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County. "So that if the farm is engaging in a sound agricultural practice that isn't putting public health in jeopardy that there are some provisions where they would get protection from the state to be able to continue with certain practices that perhaps neighbors might find annoying."

hese practices can include installing fencing, the spreading of manure, and noises endemic to standard farming practices.

Currently, there are four agricultural districts in Ulster County that include more than 72,000 acres of farmland. While the districts do not have to contain contiguous properties, clusters of included properties are concentrated in the so-called "apple belt" in Southern Ulster County and in the corn-growing region around Hurley and Marbletown.

"This program is part of the Legislature's efforts to ensure that agriculture remains viable and that farmers can continue their activities throughout the county," said Wayne Harris, R-Clintondale, chairman of the Economic Development/Education, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Committee, which oversees the activities of Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Owners of predominantly viable agricultural lands can apply for inclusion in the county's agricultural districts. The process is non-competitive, so every property that meets the program requirements will be accepted.

"This isn't for hobby farmers or gardeners, this is for real farms, legitimate agricultural businesses," Rusinek said. "The land has to be predominantly viable agricultural land, so if it's a big parking lot, you don't get (the designation)."

Agricultural districts were created by an act of the New York state Legislature in 1971 to protect and promote the availability of land for farming. They are intended to counteract the impact that non-farm development has upon the continuation of farm businesses.

In addition to offering significant "right-to-farm" protections, the Agricultural Districts Law limits a public agency's ability to acquire farmland through eminent domain, as well as the ability to advance public funds to construct facilities that encourage non-farm development. Additionally, land used in agricultural protection within an agricultural district is not subject to special tax assessments such as those levied by special water and sewer districts.

To receive a brochure, worksheet, or more information about Ulster County's agricultural districts, call Rusinek at (845) 340-3990

. ©Daily Freeman 2005

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