For Immediate Release
For more information, contact Patrice Perry
518-828-3375
LANDOWNERS APPLY IN OCTOBER FOR AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT ENROLLMENT
Most of the land used for agricultural production in Columbia County is in one of ten agricultural
districts. Columbia County is accepting applications now from landowners interested in having
their property included in an Agricultural District certified by New York State Department of
Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM). This opportunity is for only 30 days each year, and in
Columbia County that is the month of October. Explanation of the process may be found here:
https://bit.ly/CC303b
A direct link to the application form may be found here:
https://bit.ly/CC303bform
To apply for inclusion this year, send the completed application to the Clerk of the Columbia
County Board of Supervisors. The postal address for the Clerk is 401 State Street, Hudson, NY
12534. Email - [email protected]
Benefits of Land Being in an Agricultural District
Agriculture plays an important role in the local economy. Columbia County agricultural districts
are comprised of primarily viable agricultural lands currently used or that may be used in the
future for agriculture. The benefits are to encourage the continued use of farmland for
agricultural production, and promote the availability of land for farming purposes. One benefit
agricultural districts afford is protecting landowners and farmers against local laws that may
unreasonably restrict farm operations within an agricultural district.
The Process
At the end of October, all requests are referred to the County Agricultural Farmland Protection
Board (AFPB). The AFPB will determine if the land to be included consists predominantly of
viable agricultural land and if inclusion would serve the public interest by helping to maintain a
viable agricultural industry within the district. The AFPB makes a recommendation to the
County Board of Supervisors within 30 days and a public hearing is held for public comment.
After the public hearing, the County Board of Supervisors adopts or rejects the inclusion of the
land into an existing agricultural district. This action must be taken no later than 120 days after
the termination of the annual 30-day period (for Columbia County, this is October). If approved
by the County Board of Supervisors, the recommendation is forwarded to NYSDAM. If
approved by NYSDAM, the tax parcels are included in one of the county’s agricultural districts.
Tax parcels may only be added and not removed during these 30 days.
For information please contact the Columbia County Planning Department (518) 828-3375,
Patrice Perry, Director, [email protected]
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