Protecting Farmland

Why Save Agriculture and Farmland?

Farms help sustain the county's rural economy
Farms in Saratoga and Washington Counties generate more than $115.19 million a year in sales, producing a variety of agricultural goods. They spend $110.9 million a year on goods and services, much of which goes to support local businesses.

Farms support tourism
Farms in Saratoga County and Washington Counties contribute to the scenic farm landscapes that help attract people to this area.

Farms maintain the character of our communities
Farms are concentrated in some areas of the county while others are scattered in more urbanized areas. Farms create a sense of place, connect us to our rural heritage and help balance sprawl.

Farms keep property taxes lower
Taxes paid on farmland exceed the cost of providing services. Farmland contributes $3 to $4 in taxes for every dollar's worth of services it uses. Residences typically use $1.25 in services for each tax dollar they pay*.

Our farms are at risk
Saratoga and Washington Counties are a fast growing area of the state. As areas reach full-buildout, we will see our remaining farmland subjected to far greater development pressure on a scale that will threaten the very viability of farming.

We can keep Saratoga and Washington County Farming!
If our rural, suburban and urban communities work together, we can save our most important farmland-keeping farming viable.

*Based on numerous Cost of Community Services Studies conducted by American Farmland Trust that look at the cost of providing community services like roads, sewers, and schools; comparing it to the services used, and taxes paid by different land use.

Tools for Protecting Agriculture and Farmland

There are a variety of programs and tools available to New York State Farmers. In addition, both Saratoga and Washington County have an Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board to oversee planning and implementation of farmland protection and agricultural development efforts.

Guide to Local Planning for Agriculture in New York
Written by: David Haight, Jerry Cosgrove and Kirsten Ferguson
American Farmland Trust's new Guide to Local Planning for Agriculture in New York helps communities engage farmers and rural landowners in local planning efforts; assess current town policies and their effectiveness; and understand the range of tools available to help New York towns support local farms. The guide contains more than 30 case studies demonstrating how towns and municipalities are successfully planning for agriculture. In addition, more than 100 relevant publications, state laws, local plans and ordinances are available on a CD of reference materials that accompanies the hard-copy version of the guide.
http://www.farmlandinfo.org/farmland_preservation_literature/index.cfm?function=article_view&articleID=30379

Agricultural Districts and Right to Farm Laws
Saratoga and Washington County have Agricultural Districts and Right to Farm Laws.
http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/AP/agservices/agdistricts.html

Agricultural Assessments
http://www.orps.state.ny.us/pamphlet/exempt/agassess.htm

Farm Building Exemptions
http://www.orps.state.ny.us/pamphlet/exempt/farmbld.htm

Equestrian Land Conservation Resource
Mission: Dedicated to promoting access to and conservation of land for equestrian use.
http://www.elcr.org/

Purchase of Development Rights
This program offers farmers cash in exchange for the development rights to their productive farmland. Eligible farms can receive state and federal funding. Washington County farmers should contact the Ag Stewardship Association to determine if they meet eligibility criteria. Saratoga County farmers should contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County with their interest.

How to Apply for PDR Funding In:
Saratoga County
Washington County

Pre-application Form

PDR Ranking Criteria

Purchase of Development Rights Program:
You have a choice to make in deciding whether or not to consider this program
by Martin Hanehan of William Hanehan and Sons
Dairy farmer in the Town of Saratoga and recipient of PDR funding

Fact Sheet for New York States Farmland and Protection Program: Purchase of Development Rights from American Farmland Trust

Questions and Answers for Property Owners Considering Conservation Easements.
Taken from Is a Conservation Easement the Right Tool for My Farm Business? A Guide for Farm Business Ownersby Ora Rothfuss III, April 2003.

Saratoga County Farmland/Open Space Preservation Program
In 2005 the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors has allocated $500,000 to fund a matching grant
program to purchase development or other rights or a fee interest in productive agricultural lands and open space land whose preservation is deemed to be of significant public benefit.
Due June 30, 2005 http://www.co.saratoga.ny.us/forms/farmopen.pdf

Protecting Farmland Resources

New York Agricultural Landowner Guide to Tax, Conservation and Management
Programs by American Farmland Trust
http://www.farmland.org/northeast/New%20York%20Landowner%20Guide.pdf
Download free or contact CCE for a free copy.

Resources at the Cornell Community, Food, and Agricultural Program Website
http://media.cce.cornell.edu/hosts/agfoodcommunity/afs_temp3.cfm?topicID=368

Are You Thinking About Moving to the County? Brochure for Saratoga County

Local Contacts and Information

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