Ontario County has announced that the open enrollment period for its Consolidated Agricultural District No. 1 will run from Nov. 1 through Nov. 30. During this time, landowners have the opportunity to propose adding their property to the district, which offers significant protections for agricultural land.
Landowners who wish to include their land must submit an enrollment form, available from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors or online at the Ontario County website. Forms must be submitted no later than Nov. 30, either by mail, hand delivery, or digitally.
Inclusion in the district provides several benefits, such as protections against eminent domain, restrictions on certain taxes or fees, and legal safeguards against nuisance lawsuits related to farming practices. These measures aim to support the viability of agricultural operations in the county.
Requests must include details such as the tax map identification number and a description of current or planned agricultural activities. Startup operations should include a business plan if available.
After the open enrollment period, the Ontario County Agricultural Enhancement Board will review all submissions and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, which will ultimately forward the final list to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets for approval.