Making sure your farm is included in an agricultural district is more than a way for Big Brother to keep an eye on you.  Being included in a district gives your operation protection and incentives.The goal of Agricultural District is to "encourage the continued use of farmland for agricultural production."  Enrolling insures you and your operation  are covered by the Agriculture & Markets Law Article 25AA.
  • Benefits of being covered by the law include:
  • Policies that encourage viable farming
  • Limitations on the eminent domain and other public acquisitions
  • Stops local government from unreasonably restricting or regulating farm operations
  • Discourages private nuisance lawsuits due to agricultural practices
The law also establishes a land classification system used to assign agricultural assessment values to qualified properties both in and outside the district. 
The Oneida County Farmland Protection Board is currently doing an eight year review for Agriculture District 6 consisting of the Towns of Bridgewater, Marshall, Paris and Sangerfield.  For an application or more information, contact Guy Sassaman, Oneida County Planning Department, at 798-5710 or email gsassaman@ocgov.net.  Applications can also be picked up at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Office, 121 Second Street, Oriskany, NY 13471 or call 736-3394 ext. 111.

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