Requests for district additions being accepted

The New York State Agricultural and Markets Law makes provisions for property owners to request agricultural land to be added to an established agricultural district. This can be done during a 30-day period as designated by the Monroe County Legislature.

Monroe County landowners may request that a parcel of at least 51 percent viable agricultural land be added to an agricultural district by submitting a "Monroe County Agricultural Districts: Annual Addition Form" to the Clerk of the Monroe County Legislature between April 21 and May 23. Only whole tax parcels are eligible for inclusion in an agricultural district.

Forms can be obtained by calling Bob King at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County. Individuals can visit the Monroe County web site at www.monroecounty.gov. Type in "agriculture district" in the search box and then click on Monroe County's Agricultural Districts. The form is at the bottom of the page.

At the end of the 30-day period, requests to be added to agricultural districts will be referred to the Monroe County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board. The Board then has 30 days to report on the proposed additions and to make a recommendation to the Monroe County Legislature. There will be a Public Hearing on the matter before the legislature decides to adopt or reject the proposed inclusion of land into existing agricultural districts.

For information on adding land to an agricultural district, call Bob King at (585) 461-1000, extension 239.

Petitions for removal of a parcel from agricultural districts will not be accepted and must wait for the eight-year renewal of the agricultural district in which the parcel is enrolled.