Sullivan County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan

Agriculture is a pillar of the Sullivan County economy and quality of life. The most recent Sullivan County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan adopted by the Sullivan County Legislature outlines the current state of agriculture in the County and recommends a series of actions to help the County and its farmers take full advantage of the many farm and ag-business opportunities that exist.

The Plan incorporates input from farmers, agricultural groups and organizations, economic development officials, community leaders, and the general public, and gives the County:

•a comprehensive analysis of local agriculture, including the impact of property taxes on farms; •a long-term vision and direction to guide the development of policies and programs; •strategies to maintain agriculture as a critical land use and economic driver; •a framework for organization and collaboration to promote existing and new farm operations; •an evaluation of local land use laws and policies to determine their “farm-friendliness”; •the development of priority farmland criteria for use in farmland protection initiatives; •the identification of marketing opportunities, potential partners, and sources of funding; •data, maps, and other information to support marketing, grant writing, and ag programming; •resources on agriculture to be used by County staff, elected officials, and farmers.

The plan presents five goals to support a thriving agricultural sector in Sullivan County:

1.Maintain the county’s valuable farmland in active agricultural use. 2.Increase the financial success and stability of farm operations. 3.Integrate agricultural economic development into County economic strategies. 4.Increase public recognition of the value of agriculture and farmland, and develop a better understanding of farm issues by non-farmers. 5.Attract new entrepreneurs and younger households to farming ventures and assist the next generation of farmers.

The plan recommends programs and projects that align with CCE Sullivan’s Ag and Food Systems Plan of Work and are categorized in five broad areas highlighted below and expanded upon in this report:

Promoting

Productive and Sustainable Agricultural Systems

Cultivating

the Next Generation of Farmers

Supporting

Agricultural Business Retention and Expansion

Preserving

Farmland in Sullivan County

Improving

Community Health through Food Access and Nutrition

Division of Planning and Community Development

AG BUSINESS & RETENTION

2.9 Collaboration

2.1 Marketing and resource tools for farmers: website with links to programs and resources 2.3 Ag database 2.5 Farm visit plan

AGRI-TOURISM

3.1 Plan ag and food-related festivals and events: •Brainstorm ideas/themes •Organize attractions and vendors •Develop promotional strategies with Sullivan County Visitors Association 3.4 Update and print Fresh from the Farm trail map, rack cards, and brochures

CAPACITY BUILDING COLLABORATION

1.1 Ag BR&E Coordinator 1.2 Fund HVADC, CCE, SWCD 1.5 Map existing programs, identify duplication and gaps, create annual benchmarks

1.7 Quarterly regional meetings 1.4 Ag distribution lists

NEW YOUNG FARMERS

4.7 Ag business loans 4.3 Sullivan County New Farmer Guide 4.4 New Farmer Fact Sheets

VALUE ADDED DIVERSIFICATION

5.7 Catskills Kitchen •Consider cheese making equipment and programs 5.2 Support value-added dairy production and dairy processing facilities

5.9 Education and technical assistance re: value-added product diversification

5.11 High tunnel education and funding 5.12 Agri-business revolving loan fund

BUY LOCAL

6.1 Sullivan Fresh Initiative •Label and tag line •Price and fund stickers •Local product stickers •SC farm participation in Pure Catskills

6.7 SC Buy Local campaign •Message and tagline 6.8 Marketing campaign for above: posters, stickers, kit for farmers 6.9 Commodity based marketing materials

6.10 Window stickers