KINGSTON- Farmers and landowners across Ulster County will have the opportunity next month to seek inclusion in a New York State Certified Agricultural District.
The Ulster County Legislature announced it will accept applications from March 1 through March 30, 2026, from property owners who wish to have their agricultural lands added to one of the county’s designated districts.
Applications must be submitted to the Ulster County Planning Department. Completed forms, along with the relevant portion of the property’s tax map, may be mailed or hand-delivered to Burt Samuelson at 244 Fair Street, Post Office Box 1800, Kingston, NY 12402-1800. Mailed or in-person submissions must be received by the close of business on Monday, March 30. Applications may also be emailed by 11:59 p.m. that day.
Application forms are available on the Planning Department’s website under the Agricultural Districts section by clicking the “Apply” tab. Interested landowners may also request materials by contacting the department directly and providing their tax map identification numbers.
New York State’s Agricultural District Law, adopted in 1971, was created to protect and promote farmland. Land included in certified districts is shielded from unreasonable local regulation of farm practices, certain eminent domain actions and public projects that encourage non-farm development. Properties within the districts are also exempt from benefit assessments and special levies tied to improvements such as water, sewer or non-farm drainage infrastructure.
Ulster County currently has four certified Agricultural Districts encompassing approximately 73,000 acres of farmland. County officials encourage eligible landowners to review the criteria and submit applications before the March 30 deadline.
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