The Catskill Chronicle

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY (October 23, 2012) – Sullivan County Manager David Fanslau has announced that the County of Sullivan is the recipient of a $50,000 farmland protection planning grant from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Through this planning effort, the County will identify specific strategies for growing our agricultural economy, while ensuring that our farmlands and natural resources are maintained for future generations.

The County will utilize the grant funds to update its Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan, which was completed in 1999. Since that time, the Plan has guided the County’s farmland protection and agricultural economic development work.  Sullivan County has achieved many of the goals and objectives set forth in the 1999 Plan, and this grant funding will enable the County to update the Plan in light of new challenges and opportunities facing local agriculture.

"Recent successes, including the completion of four municipal farmland protection plans, and the 2011 Agricultural Summit, have laid the foundation for this new effort.  The County will re-evaluate remaining goals and objectives, and focus on prioritizing agricultural economic development initiatives to be implemented," said Scott Samuelson, Chairman of the Sullivan County Legislature.
"It is important that we plan for the future of our farming community. I believe that the new Farmland Protection Plan will help Sullivan County to sustain the social and economic vitality of our farms for future generations," said Alan Sorensen, Chair of the Planning, Environmental Management, and Real Property Committee.

"Agriculture in Sullivan County is not only a major economic sector, but also contributes to our quality of life in countless ways. A healthy agricultural economy and the continued preservation of farmlands help to drive our tourism sector, and our farmers support many local businesses, enhancing the County’s overall economy," said Cindy Kurpil Gieger, Chair of the Agriculture and Sustainability Policy Committee.

"To achieve the broadest and most comprehensive plan possible, this effort will involve collaboration among many local and regional entities, with in-kind services provided by the County as well as the Sullivan County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board, Cornell Cooperative Extension- Sullivan County, the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, Catskill Mountainkeeper, and the Watershed Agricultural Council. Each of these partners will lend their expertise in collecting and analyzing data, identifying and implementing priority projects and strategies, and developing a robust framework for public input throughout the process," added Gieger.