Orleans County is accepting enrollment of additional parcels in its existing, certified agricultural district during the month of June, pursuant to New York State Agricultural and Markets Law. The annual 30-day window is for inclusion of property that consists of predominantly viable agricultural land. During this time period, land may only be added and not removed from County Agricultural District No.1. This opportunity supplements, but does not replace, enrollment in an existing agricultural district during a more comprehensive review process held once every eight years. In 2024, the County Agricultural District No. 1 went through its major eight-year review. The next eight-year anniversary review – the only time during which parcels can be both added and removed – will not occur until 2032. Presently, there are over 120,150 acres in County Agricultural District No. 1.
Requests for inclusion in District No. 1 will be evaluated, in order, by the Orleans County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board, the Orleans County Legislature, and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. To enroll, owners must complete and sign a Letter of Intent for Annual Enrollment form. These are available from the Orleans County Department of Planning and Development or at: https://www.orleanscountyny.gov/departments/planning/county_agricultural_
district.php
Completed forms should be sent by July 1 to: Corey Winters, Director, Orleans County Department of Planning & Development, 14016 Route 31 West, Albion, NY 14411-9382 .
Please note that requesting enrollment during this 30-day time period is not a guarantee that an owner’s property will be added to Agricultural District No 1. Moreover, it will not automatically qualify your land for a reduced agricultural property tax assessment. For information on obtaining a reduced agricultural property tax assessment, please contact your local assessor. Any qualifying lot must be included entirely rather than partially.
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