Community Preservation and Farmland Protection in Ulster County: Seminar and Training

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This seminar and training will provide Ulster County’s Town Supervisors and municipal leaders with information on how to plan and implement a Community Preservation Program and utilize funding through NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets to protect working farmland in their communities.
Session 1: Leading a Community Preservation Program, presented by Orange County Land Trust’s Community Liaison, Michael Sweeton. During his 21-year tenure as Supervisor for the Town of Warwick, Sweeton led a successful Community Preservation Program which to date has resulted in the protection of 5,000 acres of land, including 38 working farms. The town has served as a case study for municipalities across the country that seek to replicate the success of their preservation program.
Session 2: Farmland Protection Implementation Grant Program, presented by David Behm, Program Manager with the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets. This session will cover the various aspects of the Farmland Protection Implementation Grant (FPIG) program, which provides financial assistance to counties, municipalities, soil and water conservation districts, and land trusts to enable them to implement farmland protection activities consistent with local agricultural and farmland protection plans, including the purchase of development rights (PDR) on individual farms.
Both sessions will end with two breakout discussions where attendees can ask specific questions of the presenters.
Lunch will be served. This event is free and open to members of the public. Seating is limited to 100 and pre-registration is required.
Sponsored by Ulster County Soil & Water Conservation District, NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets, Scenic Hudson, Mrs. Angelo J. Ingrassia, American Farmland Trust, and Orange County Land Trust, with support from the Office of the Ulster County Executive.