Annual opportunity to join Ag District starts next month
Photo by Tom Rivers: A tractor is pictured Tuesday in a field by Lakeshore Road in the Town of Carlton.
Press Release, Orleans County Department of Planning and Development
ALBION – Orleans County is accepting enrollment of additional parcels in certified agricultural districts during the month of June, pursuant to New York State Agricultural and Markets Law.
This annual 30-day window is for inclusion of property which is predominantly viable agricultural land. During this time period, land may only be added and not removed from an agricultural district. This opportunity does not replace enrollment in an existing agricultural district during the eight-year, formal review process, but allows a once-a-year opportunity for a property owner to request that the County Legislature add parcel(s) to Orleans County Consolidated Agricultural District No. 1 (District C-1).
At the conclusion of June, requests for inclusion in agricultural districts will be reviewed, in order, by the Orleans County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board, the Orleans County Legislature, and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Enrollment forms are available from the Orleans County Department of Planning and Development. Completed and signed forms should be sent by June 30th to:
Timothy German
Orleans County Department of Planning and Development
14016 Route 31 West
Albion, NY 14411
The agricultural districting program provides eligible operations right-to-farm protection, among other benefits. Last year, 116 acres were added to District No. 1 during the annual enrollment process. Please note that requesting enrollment during this 30-day time period is not a guarantee that your property will be added to an existing agricultural district. Moreover, it will not automatically qualify your property for a reduced agricultural property tax assessment. For information on obtaining a reduced agricultural property tax assessment, please contact your local assessor.
