Agriculture and Farmland Protection
Once the bread basket of New York City, agricultural activity in Westchester County saw a steady decline between 1983 and 1994 when nearly 4,000 acres, or 36 percent of farmland, as defined by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Law, were lost. The environmental benefits and landscape preservation values associated with agriculture are worthy of protection. Once lost, these are not replaceable. The socio-economic vitality of agriculture in this county is essential to the economic stability and growth of many local communities and the county as a whole.
It is the policy of the county to conserve, protect and encourage the development and improvement of its agricultural land for production of food and other agricultural products. It is also the policy of the county to conserve and protect agricultural lands as valued natural and ecological resources, which provide needed open spaces for clean air and water, as well as for open space.
Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board
In response to this loss of farmland, the Westchester County Agriculture & Farmland Protection Board (AFPB) was created in 1999 by act of the County Board of Legislature (BOL) pursuant to New York State Agriculture & Markets Law. The AFPB includes representatives from Westchester's agricultural industry, and its mission is to maintain the economic viability and the environmental and landscape preservation values associated with agriculture. The AFPB’s largest responsibility is to advise the BOL and County Planning Board on the proposed establishment, modification, continuation and/or termination of Westchester County’s Agricultural District No. 1 as well as annual petitions to include additional land within the District. The AFPB is a mix of farmers and representatives from related agencies and renders expert advice to the Board of Legislators relating to agriculture.
Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan
The Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan, adopted in 2004 by the BOL, characterizes the agricultural industry in Westchester as consisting predominantly of commercial horse boarding and other equine related activities, although the horticulture industry is also very prosperous. Traditional fruit, vegetable and other crops follow along with Christmas tree farms. The AFPB and Planning Department work on implementing the recommendations included in the plan, which includes developing a public outreach program, assisting local municipalities to plan for agriculture, and supporting Westchester County’s current and future agricultural entrepreneurs. The Planning Department has initiated the process to update the plan, illustrating all of the ways that agriculture impacts us and including strategies for the County to enact to promote agriculture and all its benefits and ensure an equitable, resilient and sustainable food system. A digital copy of the 2004 Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan may be requested from the Planning Department.
Agricultural District
New York State Agricultural Districts help to protect and preserve land under active agricultural production or land which could be used for agricultural production. New York State’s Agricultural Districts Law seeks to create economic and regulatory incentives which encourage farmers to continue farming. The Westchester County Agricultural District was created in 2001 with an eight-year review period. In 2010, after two years of review, the County Board of Legislators, upon recommendations included in a report prepared by the AFPB, modified the district by limiting the district to eight Westchester municipalities and creating criteria for farms included in the district. The modified district was recertified by the state on Sept 19, 2011 with 70 farms comprising over 6,600 acres of land. The District is currently undergoing another eight-year review. If adopted as recommended by the AFPB, the District would include approximately 9,306 acres of land comprised of 134 farms.
If your farmland is currently enrolled in the District, please consider updating your contact information and providing updates on your farm by using the survey at https://arcg.is/1G4jmf2 or scan the QR Code to the right. Information is used by the AFPB for the preparation of annual reports, evaluate the district and develop strategies for various agricultural industry sectors.
Annual Inclusion of Land to the District
In 2003, Agricultural Districts Law was amended to add Section 303-b which requires counties in which Agricultural Districts are located to create an annual process to receive and review applications from landowners to include additional parcels of land within the District. The amended review process includes an annual 30-day period in which property owners can submit applications, and specifies a process and anticipated timeline for reviewing applications and making a recommendation to the Commissioner of Agriculture for final review and certification. Westchester County’s AFPB reviews applications for its annual process during the month of March, and any applications for enrollment must be received by its March AFPB meeting. An application may be requested from the Planning Department.
Agricultural Assessments
The County Soil and Water Conservation District, staffed through the County Department of Planning, prepares Soil Group Worksheets for property owners seeking to obtain agricultural assessments for their farms. Property owners must outline the agricultural, non-agricultural and farm woodland portions of their property on an aerial map and complete an application form. The County will prepare the Soil Group Worksheet, which the property owner must submit to the local tax assessor along with their application for an agricultural assessment.
Information
For further information, please contact Matthew Castro, Principal Environmental Planner at (914) 995-4423 or at