Landowners in Ontario County have a one-month window this fall to apply for added protection of their farmland.
The county’s open enrollment period for Consolidated Agricultural District No. 1 runs from Nov. 1 through Nov. 30. During that time, property owners can request to include their land in the state-certified district, which offers several legal protections for active farms.
Inclusion in the district limits the use of eminent domain, restricts certain taxes and fees in improvement districts or benefit areas, and provides protections against nuisance lawsuits tied to standard farming practices. The goal is to support long-term farm viability.
To apply, landowners must complete an enrollment form available at ontariocountyny.gov/1608 or by contacting the Clerk of the Ontario County Board of Supervisors. Applications must include the tax map identification number for each parcel and a description of the commercial agricultural activity on the land. New or startup operations should also submit a business plan if available.
Completed forms may be mailed or delivered to Kristin Voss, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 20 Ontario St., Canandaigua, NY 14424. Digital submissions can be sent to [email protected]. All submissions must be received or postmarked by Nov. 30.
After the enrollment period closes, the Ontario County Agricultural Enhancement Board will review the proposed parcels and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. The county board will then decide which properties to recommend for inclusion to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
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