American Farmland Trust: Issues & Programs - New York

Scenic view of a Farm in New York

Located in Saratoga Springs, AFT's New York office has been on the ground for more than fifteen years, working with farmers, state and local governments, residents and conservation organizations on local land use initiatives, state and federal policy development and public education.

State Legislation Proposed to Protect Farmland Through Property Tax Relief

Senator Young and Assembly member Magee recently introduced landmark legislation to create a Working Farmland Tax Credit [PDF] (A. 8181/S. 5685). The proposed tax credit would refund property taxes (county, town and school) paid on qualifying agricultural land via a state income tax credit—provided the land is committed to active agricultural use for at least eight years. Seen not only as property tax relief but also as a farmland protection and smart growth initiative, this bill will help farmers and agricultural landowners keep their land in farming, while encouraging county governments to develop land use and economic plans that support agriculture. An estimated four million acres of farmland are currently eligible for the tax credit.

Dutchess Land Conservancy Celebrates 25,000 Acres Protected

The Dutchess Land Conservancy celebrated a milestone in land conservation this month by reaching 25,000 acres protected in Dutchess County. Roughly 80% of the land protected by DLC is in agricultural districts, with 11,000 acres of prime and statewide important soils under easement and forever available for agricultural use. With metropolitan New York within commuting distance, development pressure has increased dramatically in the county, and with that the effort to keep large areas of farmland available for agricultural use becomes more critical. More

Record Farmland Conservation Funding

The proposed FY 2007-08 executive budget was released on January 31, and it increases the overall Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) budget from $225 to $250 million. More

Every Vote Counts: Victories for Farmland Protection

Local farmland protection efforts proved victorious this November in the Hudson Valley and Long Island, many by a very tight margin. In the Town of Warwick, Orange County, voters approved the establishment of a 3/4% real estate transfer tax to fund local farmland protection and open space and historic preservation efforts. It is estimated that this transfer tax, levied on the purchaser of the home, could generate upwards of $9 million annually for the Town of Warwick. In Ulster County, all three local bond initiatives on the ballot were passed, in the towns of Gardiner, Marbletown and New Paltz. The $1.5 million bond act to fund farmland and open space protection projects in Gardiner passed by only one vote; in Marbletown, the bond passed by 7 votes. On Long Island, five towns renewed approval to levy a 2% real estate transfer fee for another 10 years. To date, the transfer tax in these towns has generated over $70 million for farmland and open space preservation.

A Strong Farming Community Takes Action: A Story of the Town of Fleming, New York

The town of Fleming lies near Owasco Lake just south of the city of Auburn in Cayuga County. Primarily a farming community, with some of the best soils in the county, the town’s proximity to the lake and the city has attracted scattered residential development in recent years. Recognizing the threat to its agricultural industry from poorly planned development, the town of Fleming sought ways to stem the trend. By combining progressive zoning with a very successful purchase of development rights program, the town has been able to protect 3,600 acres of their agricultural resources while instituting appropriate strategies to guide future growth within the town. More