Sullivan County supplies the NY metro area with eggs, milk, meats & specialty farm products.
High tunnels and greenhouses assist gardeners and farmers to extend their growing season.
Urban poultry is growing popularity as families embrace the local food movement.
Agriculture
Agriculture represents the second largest economic sector in Sullivan County with a combined output value exceeding $68,000,000 (2010). Farms create direct economic benefits, provide our residents with fresh local foods, support other local businesses across many sectors, and preserve the rural character that our residents and visitors value so highly. Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Sullivan County supports local agriculture by providing resources for farmers and consumers, helping strengthen the local and regional food systems.
Contact
Michelle Proscia
Agriculture Production Program Manager
mml249@cornell.edu
(845) 292-6180 Ext. 129
Last updated November 1, 2023
Useful Resources
Buy Local "Sullivan Fresh"!
Right to Farm Laws
A goal of the Sullivan County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan is to “increase public recognition of the value of agriculture and farmland, and to develop a better understanding of farm issues by non-farmers”. As part of the project, CCE Sullivan will work with municipalities to install road signs throughout Sullivan County in highly visible areas. Currently, there are 11 municipalities that have enacted Right to Farm laws:
Bethel, Cochecton, Callicoon, Delaware, Fremont, Liberty, Mamamating, Forestburgh, Lumberland, Neversink, and Rockland.
With this initiative, agriculture will be recognized every time someone drives through a Right to Farm community that participates in the program.
Overall, this project will bring recognition to agriculture and will help people to better understand that agriculture is an important part of the economy and way of life of Sullivan County.
Look out for Right to Farm/Agricultural District workshops in the fall, in partnership with NYS Agriculture and Markets, Sullivan County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board and the Sullivan County Division of Planning and Environmental Management!
Municipalities: Download the Sullivan County Right to Farm logo here.
Ag in the News
Discover what this program area has been up to in our Media Room!
Free CCE Ag Guides
The Ultimate Guide Book for Farmers in the Catskills Region is a 38 page manual that provides practical resources, references, and tips for farmers and ag businesses at your fingertips. Run your farm... like a boss!
The Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County Agriculture & Food Systems Report highlights the work of the CCE ag team and partners in the areas of technical assistance, education, and applied research.
The work is the result of strong collaboration with Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), other land-grant universities, the Sullivan County Division of Planning and Community Development (County Planning), the Sullivan County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board (AFPB), Sullivan County farmers, small scale food businesses, local school districts, and a growing list of local, state, and national foundations.