Public Encouraged to Attend
Ulster County Government has released the draft 2024 Ulster County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan, a comprehensive roadmap for sustaining and enhancing agriculture in Ulster County, and is hosting a public meeting on Thursday, December 5, from 6-8 PM — both online and in person at the SUNY New Paltz Lecture Center, to gather feedback.
The meeting will open with remarks from Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, and will consist of a presentation by Nan Stolzenburg of Community Planning & Environmental Associates, with an opportunity for the public to make verbal and written comments. Spanish interpretation will also be provided.
To RSVP and/or register for the meeting in-person or online, and for directions to the event, visitparticipate.ulstercountyny.gov/ag-protection-plan.
The primary objective of the draft Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan is to address the challenges facing agriculture in the County while capitalizing on opportunities to ensure the economic viability, sustainability, and resilience of the agricultural sector. The 179-page document is the result of an extensive and collaborative planning process that engaged farmers, landowners, local governments, agricultural organizations, and the community-at-large. The Plan, which can be found at participate.ulstercountyny.gov/ag-protection-plan, contains a wealth of data, analyses, maps, and resources that underpin the recommendations and strategies put forward, and includes a detailed examination of the internal and external factors that affect agriculture in Ulster County. Public feedback on the Plan will help shape the future of our region’s agricultural landscape.
“Protecting and stewarding our agricultural resources is crucial to Ulster County's future food security and economic well-being. The Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan is central to our efforts in ensuring the long-term viability and sustainability of farming in our county, and public comment is critical to ensuring that the final plan truly reflects the needs and aspirations of our community," said County Executive Metzger, who chaired the Senate Agriculture Committee when she served in the State Senate. “This draft plan is the product of significant stakeholder input and dedication, and we are pleased to present the full draft to the public for review and comment.”
More information on the Plan, along with a copy available for download, can be found at https://participate.ulstercountyny.gov/ag-protection-plan. Comments can be submitted at the bottom of the Participate Ulster page, or by emailing Burt Samuelson at bsam[at]co.ulster.ny[dot]us through January 31, 2025.
Prior to the 2024 draft Plan, the County’s last such plan was released in 1997 and can be viewed here: https://ulstercountyny.gov/planning/agriculture/farmland.
