Lewis County’s Annual 30-Day Period for Landowners to Request Inclusion into a NYS Certified Agricultural District

Why ask to be included in the Agricultural District?

The State Legislature enacted the Agricultural Districts Law in 1971 to protect and promote the availability of land for farming purposes. The formation of Ag Districts is intended to counteract the impact that non-farm development can have upon the continuation of farm businesses. Briefly, Ag Districts provide the framework to limit unreasonable local regulation on farm practices, to modify public agencies’ ability to acquire farmland by eminent domain, and to modify the right to advance public funds to construct facilities that encourage development of farmland. Also, benefit assessments, special ad valorem levies, or other rates and fees for the finance of improvements such as water, sewer, or non-farm drainage may not be imposed upon land used in agricultural production and within an agricultural district.

Do not assume that your farmland is included in the NYS Certified Agricultural District. If you are not sure, please contact the Lewis County Planning Department and ask by calling (315) 376-5423 or e-mail megankrokowski@lewiscounty.ny.gov. Inclusion in a NYS Certified Agricultural District is not the same as having an agricultural tax assessment or being in an agricultural zoning district.

click here to view the Press Release

click here for the full fact sheet

click here to download and fill out the Lewis County Agricultural District 6 Inclusion Worksheet