March 10th, 2022
Landowners must submit requests by March 30, 2022.
The application period is open for Monroe County landowners who want to request a parcel of agricultural land be added to a state-certified agricultural district.
Inclusion into the Agricultural District Program affords tax parcels certain legal protections for activities considered agriculture under state law. The program aims to protect and promote the availability of land for farming purposes by providing a framework to limit unreasonable local regulation on farm practices, limit the ability of local agencies to acquire farmland by eminent domain and limit local government ability to use public funds to build facilities that encourage development of farmland.
Landowners can apply by submitting a “Monroe County Agricultural Districts: Annual Enrollment Form” by March 30, 2022. Forms are available at www.monroecounty.gov/farmland and must be returned to David Grant, Clerk of the Legislature, Room 407, County Office Building, 39 W. Main Street, Rochester, New York 14614 or emailed to [email protected].
Only whole tax parcels of predominantly viable agricultural land are eligible for inclusion in an agricultural district.
After March 30, all applications will be referred to the Monroe County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board, which then has 30 days to report on the proposed additions and make a recommendation to the County Legislature.
The Planning and Economic Development Committee will hold a Public Hearing on those recommendations before the County Legislature decides to adopt or reject the proposed inclusion of land into existing districts.
The New York State Agricultural and Markets Law provides for property owners to request agricultural land be added to an established state-certified agricultural district during a 30 day period designated by the County Legislature. Petitions for removal of a parcel from agricultural districts will not be accepted at this time and must wait for the review of the agricultural district in which the parcel is enrolled.
For more information on adding land to an agricultural district, please contact Bob King, Monroe Community College Agriculture and Life Sciences Institute, 292-2065 or [email protected].
