Agricultural Districts
Eight-Year Review and Recertifications

Agricultural districts are reviewed by the County and recertified by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets every eight years. During the review process landowners can elect to have their land remain in the district, remove their land from the district, or request to add land to the district. Please note that while land can be added to an agricultural district each year through the annual additions process, land can only be removed through the eight-year review process.  Landowners who want their land to remain in an agricultural district do not need to take any action during the eight-year review.

Eight-year district renewal processes for the four agricultural districts in Onondaga County are staggered, so that a renewal takes places every two years. The process is generally as follows:

Landowners with land currently enrolled in the district to be renewed will be mailed a letter informing them of the review, a removal/addition request form, and a farm questionnaire. The removal/addition request form will identify the parcels that landowners currently have enrolled in the District.

 

If you would like to remove any properties or add properties on the list, complete and return the form by the date specified, usually January 30 of the renewal year.  

If you do not wish to make any changes, and want listed properties to remain enrolled in the district, you do not need to return the form.  (Your parcels will remain enrolled until you request removal.) 

 

If you believe you own enrolled land in the district but did not receive a form and would like to make changes, please use the blank removal and addition form available on this page during the renewal period.

 

If you have no enrolled lands, but wish to add land to the district, please use the blank removal and addition form available on this page during the renewal period.

Landowners with land currently enrolled in the district under review will also receive a Farm Questionnaire. Landowners who currently own an agricultural operation within the district or rent their land to an agricultural operation are asked to complete and return the questionnaire by January 30 of the renewal year. You do not need to complete the questionnaire if you do not farm your land or rent land to an agricultural operation. 

 

Once the open period ends, the Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board will review the requests and prepare a report that is submitted to the County Legislature for their consideration. The Legislature will then hold a public hearing to receive feedback on the requested modifications, if any. 

 

Upon County Legislature approval, the report is finalized and sent to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets for recertification of the District. Upon completion of the state recertification, those requesting additions or removals will be notified of approved or denied changes. This entire process typically takes eight to twelve months.

 

For more information contact:

Onondaga County Department of Planning

315-435-2611

countyplanning@ongov.net