Farmland Protection
Onondaga County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan - This plan was sponsored by Onondaga County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board, and approved by the County Legislature in 1997 and subsequently endorsed by the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets. It was created to assist in the maintenance of the economic viability of the County's agricultural industry and its supporting land base. It contains agricultural and farmland protection goals and objectives, and proposes a number of recommendations and strategies.
A fundamental policy of the County's 2010 Plan is the protection of the rural economy, agriculture, and access to natural resources. SOCPA serves on the County's Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board and participates in several farmland protection projects.
The New York Agricultural Landowner Guide is an excellent source for additional information on State programs.
SOCPA Farmland Programs
Agricultural Districts - Agricultural districts provide a combination of landowner incentives and protections that discourage the conversion of farmland to non-agricultural uses.
Purchase of Development Rights - The "Purchase of Development Rights" (PDR) places a deed restriction, known as a conservation easement, on a farm's property. Conservation easements are voluntary legal agreements that restrict the development and subdivision of land. The owner retains all other rights of ownership and continues to farm the land as they did before.
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