Livingston County Seeks Ag Land for District Enrollment

By Blake Jackson

The Livingston County Board of Supervisors has announced that September will serve as the designated 30-day period for landowners to apply for inclusion in an existing agricultural district.

This enrollment period stems from a 2004 amendment to the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, Section 303-b. Before this change, landowners could only seek entry into agricultural districts during their eight-year review cycle, which significantly limited opportunities for participation.

The amendment now requires each county with certified agricultural districts to establish an annual window during which eligible land may be considered.

For a property to qualify, it must be classified as “viable agricultural land,” meaning it is well-suited for a commercial farm operation. Interested landowners must submit an application along with a description of farming activities that take place on the property.

Applications can be completed online through the Livingston County Planning Department’s website or submitted in person at the department’s office, located at 6 Court Street, Room 305, in Geneseo. Only requests for inclusion are accepted during this period removal from a district is only possible during the mandatory eight-year review process.

Following the close of the enrollment period on September 30, 2025, the Livingston County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board (AFPB) will evaluate all submissions.

The AFPB has 30 days to review the requests and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. Their review focuses on determining whether the proposed land consists primarily of viable farmland and whether its inclusion would benefit the local agricultural industry.

Once the AFPB provides its recommendations, the Board of Supervisors will schedule a public hearing. Based on public input and the AFPB’s findings, the board may pass a resolution to add the new parcels. That resolution is then forwarded to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets for final approval and certification.

For more information about the 30-day enrollment period, landowners may contact the Livingston County Planning Department at 585-243-7550. Applications must be submitted either online or to the Planning Department office no later than September 30, 2025.

Photo Credit: gettyimage-jamesbrey