Keep Putnam Farming

Putnam County Agriculture & Farmland Protection Board

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Welcome to Keep Putnam Farming

Putnam County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board

Putnam County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board:

The Putnam County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board (PCAFPB) was formed in 1997 to advise the County legislature on actions that impact farms, and review Agricultural District petitions submitted during the Annual Enrollment period of April 1^st through April 30^th. The PCAFPB shall also develop, assess, and approve county agricultural and farmland protection plans. The PCAFPB is a resource for farmers, landowners, and municipalities regarding any agricultural concerns within Putnam County.

If you are planning to petition to have your property included in the Putnam County Agricultural District, the PCAFPB strongly advises that you meet with the board prior to submitting your Annual Enrollment form to the County Legislature. Meeting with the PCAFPB will ensure a thorough understanding of your property and farm operation. This will then assist the PCAFPB in the review process and recommendation to the County Legislature.

Our Mission:

To support and promote the economic viability of agriculture while protecting the environment.

Board Members:

The PCAFPB consists of six (6) farmers, and representatives from each of the following agencies; Putnam County Legislature, Department of Planning, Development, and Public Transportation, Real Property Tax Services Agency, Soil and Water Conservation District, and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County.

Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District provides staff assistance to the PCAFPB, which meets monthly and oversees the official Agricultural District.

Board Meeting Schedule:

PCAFPB meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 10:00 am at the Department of Planning, Development, and Public Transportation, 841 Fair Street, Carmel.

If you would like to attend one of the monthly meetings, please call or email to confirm the regularly scheduled meeting will be taking place.

Contact information:

Lauri Taylor, District Manager
Putnam County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board
C/o Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District
841 Fair Street
Carmel, NY 10512
Phone: (845) 878-7918
Email: soilandwater@putnamcountyny.gov

www.putnamcountyny.com/keepputnamgreen

Agricultural District Information

What is an Agricultural District?

An agricultural district is a geographic area consisting predominantly of viable agricultural land. Agricultural operations within the district are the priority land use and afforded benefits and protections to promote the continuation of farming and the preservation of agricultural land. In Putnam County we have one Agricultural District #1 that covers the entire county due to its small size; it didn’t make sense to have multiple agricultural districts. So instead of covering a defined land area, our agricultural district is parcel by parcel.

Putnam County has designated the month of April as the annual period during which landowners may request tax parcel inclusion into our Agricultural District #1. During this process, parcels of land may be added; no tax parcels can be removed. The only time that tax parcels may be removed is during the NYS required programmatic eight-year review of the entire agricultural district. The Putnam County agricultural District #1 was created in 2003 and went through an eight-year review in 2011. The next time the eight-year review will take place is in 2019.

NYS Agriculture and Markets Law – Agricultural Districts Law Article 25AA

Important Contact information:

Putnam County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board
C/o Putnam County Soil and Water
Conservation District
841 Fair Street
Carmel, NY 10512
Phone: (845)878-7918
Email: soilandwater@putnamcountyny.gov
www.putnamcountyny.com/keepputnamfarming
NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
10B Airline Drive
Albany, NY 12235
Phone: (518) 457-3738
Email: bob.somers@agriculture.ny.gov
www.agriculture.ny.gov

Farmers Market Information

Farmers Market Brochure

Click on the above link to see our Farmers Market Brochure. Here you will find a list of all Putnam County’s Farmers Markets and Farm Stands. Each section will provide you with their address location, phone number and hours.

(New) Hudson Valley Reginal Farmers Market

15 Mt. Ebo Road So. (off Rte. 22)

Brewster, NY 10509

Every Sunday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

HudsonValleyFarmersMarket.org

Reports

Purpose

Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Putnam County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board are partnering with Glynwood to gain a better understanding of existing agricultural conditions in Putnam County in an effort to create greater awareness of available local agricultural products and services and make them available to all residents.

Purpose

To engage residents with farmers in Putnam County – connecting farmers and neighbors – to better understand existing agricultural conditions and build relationships that will result in the development and implementation of actions to: strengthen the economic viability of the agricultural sector; foster improved neighbor relations; enhance awareness of local agricultural products and services; expand availability of local food; and provide access to these products for all residents of Putnam County.

Opportunities and Challenges

Challenges identified by Putnam County farmers include:

Lack of recognition by local municipalities and the County of agriculture as an industry for economic development and tourism.
Lack of industry support for small farms, (i.e., needed capital, farm products and equipment repairs).
Limited availability of farmland for expansion of existing farms or for farmers wanting to begin farming in Putnam County.
Costs incurred by farmers of doing business in the County versus the level of income generated by farming activities.
Lack of a cohesive farmers’ network that provides opportunities for farmers to collaborate with each other and regionally helping to make their operations more efficient.
Lack of understanding by residents of the challenges faced by farmers that can lead to disputes with neighbors.
Lack of an integrated marketing plan to promote local products and benefits of agriculture.

The Keep Farming program will work with Putnam County farmers to determine existing economic trends in the County and how this data can be used to better inform community planning efforts.

Collaborating Organizations & Agencies

Putnam County and Glynwood have partnered to bring this initiative to Putnam County along with the following agencies:

Collaborating Organizations and Agencies

Putnam County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board
Putnam County Soil & Water Conservation District
Putnam County Planning Department
Putnam County Department of Health
Putnam County Economic Development Corporation
Putnam County Tourism
Putnam County Executive
Putnam County Legislature
USDA
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County
Town Representatives
Community Representatives

About Glynwood

Agricultural & Farmland Protection Plan For Putnam County

Keep Putnam Farming Final Report

News & Events

December 22, 2021

Pygmy Goats, Sardinian Donkeys, and Percheron Horses debut at Tilly Foster Farm

October 4, 2021

Path Through History Weekend October 9th-11th

May 9, 2016

PUTNAM COUNTY’S AGRICULTURAL & FARMLAND PROTECTION BOARD RELEASES NEW “KEEP PUTNAM FARMING” REPORT

A list of Farm Fresh Products

How can you help?

Please take a few minutes to fill out the Resident Survey

Agriculture Census Data

2012 NY Agriculture Census
2012 Agriculture Census for Putnam County NY
5 Things to Know About NY Agriculture from the 2012 Census
An Article about the 2012 Census by Emily Manley on the New York Environment Report site.

Pictures in Farming

Videos

Putnam County Agriculture Roundtable:
A meeting for Farmers and Decision makers

Farms are small businesses that have some rules that protect their practices. We will discuss how local government and farms can co-exist as good business partners, protecting quality of life and providing locally grown products and farm experiences. We will shine a light on some misconceptions about Agricultural Districts, protected practices, local zoning and rules, and state laws. We will round out the discussion with our agricultural neighbors in Dutchess County to learn about two problem-solving practices. Please see the webinar on the link below.

Conversation
with Farmers:

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County hosted a program with 5 Putnam County Famers including the host farm. They wanted to address the misconception that there are no farms in Putnam County. Please click the link below to watch the program.

Ag in the
Classroom:

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County conducted Ag in the Classroom to Putnam County elementary school youth as part of the Ag Literacy Week. Ag in the Classroom is a partnership between Farm Bureau, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, and Cornell University. Please click on the link below to watch the program.

Testimonials

“’Keep Putnam Farming’ could not come at a better time for us,” said Odell. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Glynwood, especially as we move forward with the restoration of and rejuvenation at Tilly Foster Farm. Since it is now known that the over-processing of our foods has a detrimental impact on our health, farming within Putnam, going back to our county’s agricultural roots, can and should be a priority for all of us.”

MaryEllen OdellCounty Executive

Agriculture is a business that needs to be recognized and supported throughout Putnam County and the Hudson Valley.

Lauri TaylorPutnam County Soil & Water Conservation District

Glynwood is pleased to be expanding our mission in our home County. Glynwood is an agricultural nonprofit organization in Cold Spring, NY with a mission to ensure that farming thrives in the Hudson Valley.

Virginia KasinkiDirector Community Based Programs