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Ulster County is updating its Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan for the first time since 1997. The county, which is home to four New York State-certified agricultural districts spanning over 71,500 acres, is adapting to changes in the agricultural landscape, including a longer growing season and changing weather patterns. The updated plan aims to address the current needs and future challenges of the farming community.
The plan is a collaborative effort of the Ulster County Planning Department, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County, the Ulster County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board, and the Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District. It will focus on strategies to increase the economic viability of agricultural industries, encourage farmland protection, create opportunities for new farmers, and raise public interest and awareness of agriculture’s importance as part of the county's economic and land-use future.
The plan involves four phases: public engagement, data collection and mapping, analysis, and plan development. Public engagement includes county-wide surveys, interviews with key stakeholders, focus groups, and ongoing project updates for the public. The data collection and mapping phase will create an inventory of agricultural programs currently accessible to farmers and agricultural businesses at federal, state, and local levels. It will also collect comprehensive county-level agricultural economic data to gain a deeper understanding of existing production and markets as well as potential ones.
Ulster County is accepting public comments on the draft plan until January 31, 2025. Comments can be submitted online or via email. A public meeting is also scheduled for December 5, 2024, at SUNY New Paltz.