Fulton County Agricultural District

Enacted in 1971, New York’s Agricultural Districts Law (ADL) is a very effective tool for maintaining lands in agriculture, and ensuring New York’s position as an outstanding agricultural state. The ADL recognizes that agricultural lands are important and irreplaceable resources, which are in jeopardy of being lost to as a result of increasing costs of agricultural businesses, development pressures and regulatory constraints. Agricultural Districts Law seeks to create economic and regulatory incentives which encourage farmers to continue farming. The ADL has two basic components, agricultural assessments for taxes and agricultural district creation and review.

The Fulton County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board (AFPB) was established by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to New York State Agriculture and Markets Law.

Ag districts consist of viable agricultural lands, or, in other words, lands that are currently used for agriculture or may be used for agriculture in the future.  Agricultural districts may include not just farm fields, but also residential, forested and commercial properties that are part of an agricultural enterprise.

Agricultural districts are not permanent, but instead change through time. Every year, from March 1^ST to March 30^TH, Fulton County accepts applications from property owners who would like some or all of their land added to an agricultural district. The districts are also reviewed every eight years to ensure they reflect current land use. At that time land that has been developed, or is in any way no longer viable for agriculture, can be removed from the district.

The Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board:

• Advises the County Legislature on Agricultural Districts
• Reviews rules, regulations, and government actions affecting areas located within Agricultural Districts
• Makes recommendations about proposed actions involving government acquisition of farmland in Agricultural Districts through eminent domain
• Requests reviews of state agency regulations that affect farm operations within an Agricultural District
• Approves county agricultural and farmland protection plans
• Works toward implementing recommendations in the county’s Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan

The affiliations represented on the 11-member board are established in the Agricultural District Law, however, individual appointments are made by the Board of Supervisors

The Board composition includes active farmers and one agribusiness representative, the Chairman of the County Soil and Water Conservation District Board, a member of the County Legislature, the County Planning Director, and the County Director of Real Property Tax Services. The board may also include a representative from an organization dedicated to agricultural land preservation, such as the Farm Bureau.

To learn more about Fulton County agriculture district and initiatives please explore the webpage or contact the Fulton County Planning Department at 518-736-5660 or planning@fultoncountyny.gov.