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Schenectady County Holds Public Hearing on Proposed Agricultural District

Schenectady County Seal

Proposal Would Add 45 Acres to Agricultural District 1 in the Town of Duanesburg

The Schenectady County Legislature held a public hearing on a proposed 45-acre agricultural district in the Town of Duanesburg.

The annual 30-day review period for inclusion in the Schenectady County Agricultural District takes place in December. The County received one application during the 2020 review period.

Applications submitted during the review period are reviewed by the Schenectady County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board (AFPB), who then makes a recommendation to the County Legislature for each application. The Legislature must hold a public hearing in accordance with NYS Agricultural and Markets Law before any new parcels can be added to the Agricultural District.

“Schenectady County is blessed to have a thriving agricultural community that includes parcels in all five towns,” said County Legislator Holly Vellano, Chair of the Committee on Environmental Conservation, Renewable Energy and Parks. “We welcome new additions to our Agricultural District, and encourage the growth of locally-sourced agricultural products for distribution and consumption throughout the County.”

The Schenectady County AFPB recommended inclusion of the 45 acres in the County’s Agricultural District. The property owners intend to use the land to raise beef cattle and grow hay. Additional  information about the Schenectady County AFPB and a map of the Schenectady County Agricultural District can be found at www.schenectadycounty.com/ed-planning.