Farmland protection

MILLERTON — The New York State Legislature has passed a state budget for fiscal year 2015-16 that includes $35 million for protecting working farmland. This includes $15 million from the Environmental Protection Fund to purchase development rights on farmland through the state’s Department of Agriculture and Market’s Farmland Protection Program and $20 million in a special allocation for protection of farmland in the Hudson Valley. 

Hudson Valley farmers are invited to apply for funding to protect their farms through the acquisition of an agricultural easement on their land. Through this process, landowners are paid a portion of the land’s value to ensure its permanent protection and availability for agricultural use. Protecting farmland through conservation easements enables current farmers to invest in their operations resulting in increased productivity and allows older family members to retire, turning the farm over to the next generation of farmers.

Dutchess Land Conservancy helps organize and coordinate the process from application, through closing, working directly with farmers, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, and other funding partners (when applicable). 

New York state’s program is a competitive process and in order to prepare top-notch proposals, Dutchess Land Conservancy has developed a pre​application questionnaire which will help initiate the process. To receive a pre-application questionnaire, or for more information, call Dutchess Land Conservancy at 845-677-3002 or go to www.dutchessland.org. 

Rebecca Thornton is president of the Dutchess Land Conservancy.