Farmland Preservation Project

Sullivan County Seeks Farm Applicants for Farmland Protection Grant Program

The Sullivan County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board (AFPB), in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County (CCESC) and the Orange County Land Trust (OCLT), is currently seeking farm owners interested in applying for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM) Farmland Protection Implementation Grants (FPIG) Program.

This initiative offers a unique opportunity for farmers to permanently protect their land from future development through agricultural conservation easements, while continuing to actively farm. Participating farms must be actively farming the property and committed to placing a permanent land protection agreement on their property, ensuring it remains in agricultural use for generations to come.

To qualify, interested farms must submit a Pre-Application Inquiry Form by Friday, August 22, 2025. The Sullivan County AFPB will review and rank submissions before forwarding selected applications to the Orange County Land Trust for inclusion in the state grant process. After submitting the pre-application form, a representative from the Orange County Land Trust will follow up directly with applicants to discuss the program in more detail and review eligibility requirements. When offered in the past, the grant has been highly competitive, with requests for State assistance often exceeding available funds.

How to Apply:

Download and Complete the pre-application form.

Submit completed forms via email to Melinda Meddaugh at mm2592@cornell.edu or Michael Sweeton at michael@oclt.org.

Alternatively, mail forms to:

Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County

64 Ferndale-Loomis Road, Liberty, NY 12754

For more information about the NYSDAM FPIG Program, visit the official program page.

Preserving Farmland, Strengthening Communities

Sullivan County, in collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County (CCESC) and the Orange County Land Trust (OCLT), has launched a bold initiative to protect local farmland, support farmers, and preserve the county’s rural character for future generations.

Why Farmland Preservation Matters

Farms are the backbone of Sullivan County’s economy and heritage. This initiative aims to:

• Safeguard the local food supply
• Preserve scenic landscapes and open spaces
• Support family farms and local jobs
• Strengthen the rural economy

By leveraging state and federal resources, the county is working to shield farmland from development pressures and ensure its long-term productivity.

What the Initiative Offers

For Farmers:

• Guidance on securing agricultural conservation easements
• Access to grant programs like:
  • NYS Farmland Protection Implementation Grant (FPIG)
  • USDA NRCS Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
• Estate planning tools to help transfer land to the next generation

For Communities & Municipalities:

• Workshops and technical assistance
• Training on farm-friendly zoning and conservation strategies
• Support for creating customized farmland protection plans

Policy & Funding: Exploring the Community Preservation Act (CPA)

Sullivan County is exploring participation in the Hudson Valley Community Preservation Act (CPA), which allows communities to establish Community Preservation Funds (CPF) through a real estate transfer tax. These funds can be used to:

• Preserve open space and farmland
• Protect historic sites
• Maintain community character

Communities like New Paltz, Gardiner, and Warwick have successfully implemented CPFs, balancing growth with conservation.

This project is supported by the County of Sullivan and the Sullivan County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board. For more information or to set up a meeting, reach out to either the Orange County Land Trust or CCE Sullivan below. We are also available for a presentation for your municipality and to provide one on one technical support to update your zoning and comprehensive plans to be more ag friendly.

 

For More Information on CPA's and Conservation Easements contact the OCLT:

Michael Sweeton

michael@oclt.org

(845) 534-3690 x 7

www.oclt.org

For More Information on Farm Friendly Zoning contact CCESC:

Melinda Meddaugh

mm2592@cornell.edu

(845) 292-6180 x116

Last updated July 16, 2025