Protecting, Promoting Rockland Farmland: Meeting Oct. 19

The Rockland Farm Alliance has been working on creating an Agricultureal District in the county. Rockland is one of the few NY counties without one. Now the Rockland County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board is in the process of forming one. A meeting on the topic will be held Oct. 19.

Any land that is viable for farming can be included: farms, stables, nurseries, hay fields, and apiaries. All land owners who own parcels currently with agricultural activity can list their land in a potential Ag District. The primary benefits of establishing an Agricultural District include:

• protecting our county’s land, water, and other natural resources
• supporting existing farms in our county
• creating business opportunities for small farms
• establishing agricultural protection for property owners

"The key is to have land owners agree to have their land counted as farmland. It's as simple as that with no strings attached," said John McDowell, RFA president, in a letter to supporters.

Anyone who has viable farmland, or who is interested in the creation of an Agricultural District, is invited to attend a meeting Oct. 19.

WHAT: Agricultural District Public Meeting
WHO: Agricultural and Farm Protection Board, Ag & Mkts, Farm Bureau
WHEN: 7-9 p.m. Oct 19
WHERE: Stony Point Center, 17 Cricketown Rd, Stony Point, NY 10980

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