Enrollment for Agricultural Districts in Livingston County commences in September
In the picturesque region of Livingston County, farmers and landowners have the opportunity to join agricultural districts until September 30. This annual process, established under a 2004 change to state law, allows for the inclusion of more farmland into these designated areas.
To qualify, the land must be suitable for commercial farming. Landowners are required to submit an application packet and a description of the farm activity on the land. Once the application is submitted, the county's Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board will review each request within 30 days. The board decides if the land is viable and whether its inclusion helps support agriculture in the county.
The application period for joining agricultural districts ends on September 30. Application packets are available online or at the county Planning Department in Geneseo. It is important to note that this process does not apply to removing property from ag districts; landowners can only do so after the full eight-year review cycle.
The county Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing and vote on the requests to add farmland into agricultural districts. This is the final step in the process, and the board's decision will be sent to the state for approval. If the application deadline has expired, the application is generally rejected, but such rejection does not always need to be accepted, especially if the authority made errors in delivery or if the original documents already contained all necessary information. The deadline for objection often begins only after proper receipt of the decision, and missing proof of delivery can invalidate the claimed expiry of the deadline.
FingerLakes1.com, the region's leading all-digital news publication, founded in 1998 and keeping residents informed for over two decades, is a valuable source of information for those interested in this process. The company offers a Morning Edition newsletter that delivers headlines to your inbox each morning. For inquiries, contact the Planning Department at 585-243-7550 or visit their website. To submit a lead, send it to news@[website address].
For those who prefer mobile access, the FingerLakes1.com app is available for free download on iOS devices (iPhone and iPad). Stay informed and take advantage of this opportunity to join the agricultural district in Livingston County before the September 30 deadline.
