Ulster County News

FROM: ULSTER COUNTY OFFICE

DATE: March 23, 2005 

The award of $279,000 in supplemental funds to Ulster County’s Farmland Protection Program will allow two farms in Ulster County to remain in agriculture, rather than be developed. The farms represent nearly 400 highly productive acres in the Esopus Valley.

Chairman Gerentine extends Ulster County’s appreciation to the Davenport’s and Misner/Palmatier’s, the two farms involved for their participation, to Scenic Hudson and the Open Space institute for providing matching funds, to the Ulster County Farmland Protection Board who worked on the application and to NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets for its confidence in our program.

The Chairman noted that "agriculture continues to be an important part of Ulster County’s heritage and its economic base. The Farmland Preservation Program is one of several steps that the County and its communities are taking to ensure that farming continues as part of our economic and visual landscape."

The Farmland Preservation Program purchases development rights from willing farmers, placing agricultural land in conservation easements that continues to allow farm activities while restricting non-agricultural related development. Before and after values are determined by an appraisal and the farmer is paid the difference.

The Program seeks to ensure the continued economic viability of agriculture. It uses critical mass to keep support services in place and minimize land use conflicts. It provides economic incentives to continue farming by allowing farmers to obtain development value for their property without the development, and it can reduce costs of entry and value for new farmers by creating agricultural and farming availability.

This is the fourth grant the County has received from the State for the program. In all, over 3.3 million dollars has been allocated to preserve 1,400 acres. For additional information please contact Dennis Doyle, Director Ulster County Planning Board at (845) 340 -3339.

A view from the Davenport Farm in the Esopus Valley