Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan

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Participate in shaping the future of our farms as Ulster County undertakes a comprehensive update of its Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan.

The DRAFT ULSTER COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND FARMLAND PROTECTION PLAN is NOW AVAILALBE on the right-hand side of this webpage or by clicking on the image of the report's cover.

Comments can be submitted using the form below or by emailing Burt Samuelson at bsam@co.ulster.ny.us until January 31, 2025.


Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan

Encompassing four NYS-certified agricultural districts spanning over 71,500 acres, alongside a diverse range of specialty farms and vibrant farmers markets, our agricultural landscape stands as a formidable economic engine. Rooted in a rich history of nourishing both local communities and extending its reach to New York City and beyond, agriculture remains a cornerstone of our County's identity, evident in the picturesque vistas along stream valleys and hillsides. This update to the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan will equip us with the essential resources to shepherd agriculture into the future, preserving its integral role within the fabric of Ulster County.

Development of the plan is a collaborative effort of the Ulster County Planning Department, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County, the Ulster County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board, and the Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District.

The Plan update will focus on the future needs of the agricultural community and include strategies to increase the economic viability of agricultural industries, encourage farmland protection, create opportunities for new farmers, and raise public interest and awareness of agriculture’s importance as part of our economic and land-use future.

The plan involves four phases:

  1. Public Engagement
  2. Data Collection & Mapping
  3. Analyses
  4. Draft Plan
  5. Final Plan

Adapting to Change

Agriculture is central to Ulster County's identity and heritage, a defining feature of the landscape, and a key driver of the County's economy. Comprised primarily of small and mid-sized farms, our agricultural sector produces a rich diversity of products for regional, national, and international markets, while providing our communities with access to fresh local foods. In the last few decades, many farmers have had to adapt to changing economic conditions and reinvent how they do business. In addition to economic challenges, farmers also face challenges from a warming climate, including more severe and unpredictable weather and new pests and diseases. The overarching purpose of this plan is to help Ulster County farmers meet these challenges, take advantage of new opportunities, and promote a diverse, sustainable, and resilient agricultural sector for the long term.

Participate in shaping the future of our farms as Ulster County undertakes a comprehensive update of its Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan.

The DRAFT ULSTER COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND FARMLAND PROTECTION PLAN is NOW AVAILALBE on the right-hand side of this webpage or by clicking on the image of the report's cover.

Comments can be submitted using the form below or by emailing Burt Samuelson at bsam@co.ulster.ny.us until January 31, 2025.


Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan

Encompassing four NYS-certified agricultural districts spanning over 71,500 acres, alongside a diverse range of specialty farms and vibrant farmers markets, our agricultural landscape stands as a formidable economic engine. Rooted in a rich history of nourishing both local communities and extending its reach to New York City and beyond, agriculture remains a cornerstone of our County's identity, evident in the picturesque vistas along stream valleys and hillsides. This update to the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan will equip us with the essential resources to shepherd agriculture into the future, preserving its integral role within the fabric of Ulster County.

Development of the plan is a collaborative effort of the Ulster County Planning Department, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County, the Ulster County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board, and the Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District.

The Plan update will focus on the future needs of the agricultural community and include strategies to increase the economic viability of agricultural industries, encourage farmland protection, create opportunities for new farmers, and raise public interest and awareness of agriculture’s importance as part of our economic and land-use future.

The plan involves four phases:

  1. Public Engagement
  2. Data Collection & Mapping
  3. Analyses
  4. Draft Plan
  5. Final Plan

Adapting to Change

Agriculture is central to Ulster County's identity and heritage, a defining feature of the landscape, and a key driver of the County's economy. Comprised primarily of small and mid-sized farms, our agricultural sector produces a rich diversity of products for regional, national, and international markets, while providing our communities with access to fresh local foods. In the last few decades, many farmers have had to adapt to changing economic conditions and reinvent how they do business. In addition to economic challenges, farmers also face challenges from a warming climate, including more severe and unpredictable weather and new pests and diseases. The overarching purpose of this plan is to help Ulster County farmers meet these challenges, take advantage of new opportunities, and promote a diverse, sustainable, and resilient agricultural sector for the long term.

Submit Your Feedback

Feedback using this form will be seen on this webpage. 

These comments are moderated by the website software team utilizing the following rules: Forum Etiquette & Moderation | Demo Site (engagementhq.com)(External link) If your comment is moderated, you will receive an email from the website software team, and you may re-submit your comment with new language. This is to ensure constructive dialogue and community safety on the County's engagement site. 

If you would like your comment to remain anonymous, please indicate that and send it by email to bsam@co.ulster.ny.us. It will be shared in public documents as anonymous without your name attached to it. 

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I respect the need to protect farmland, but we should also embrace vertical mounted solar panels as this will allow farmers to have two sources of income, farming and electric generation, and without any significant lose of land. Bifacial Solar panels make this very viable and attractive. They are also less of a visual detraction on a field.

Gunks EcoLodge 5 days ago
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It's ironic that so many of the older, huge houses in this area once were farm houses where families and workers lived, and now we need housing for farm workers. I think that converting or building homes for farm workers is brilliant. Let's do that.
I think that agritourism is also an amazing idea. I wonder if artist groups would pay to visit farms as subject matter to draw / paint the plants, animals and buildings - in all seasons. I would be very excited to visit a farm if I could super charge my EV car. Hanging out while my car charges in a natural setting, perhaps with animals around would be good for my soul and wellbeing. It was Pete Seeger who said that once people love something, they will fight for it. If a community spends time on the land, they will love it and want to keep it healthy.

I am concerned about non-farm development of land, whether residential or otherwise, so I'm glad that that issue is being addressed in this plan.

Thank you for doing this work, and I hope that it brings positive results!

JRussell 12 days ago
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Page last updated: 15 Jan 2025, 03:10 PM