Genesee County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan

APPENDIX C: SWOT ANALYSIS
especially livestock operations, in close proximity to rural residences. In addition to the
direct costs associated with operational changes, there are additional social costs to this
conflict that include neighbor infighting, nuisance suits, and crop damage.
The second threat from current land development pressure comes from the patchwork of
development. As developed parcels leapfrog existing farms, they limit the expansion
capability of existing operations while impacting successful intergenerational transfers.
In addition, the patchwork of farms requires farmers to travel greater distances between
parcels increasing both the time and expense of farming.
The third issue involves the quality of land resource being consumed by development.
Due to the radial pattern of development from Baltimore and Washington, the County’s
best, and most productive soil resources are developed at a faster rate than are the less
productive soils. This increases the proportion of marginal soils under cultivation and
has the potential to limit the efficiency of county farms.
The fourth issue affected by land-use patterns centers on the increase in land value. As a
result of increased demand for land, farmers are forced to compete for land at higher
prices. This impacts both operational costs as well as farm transition.
Regional Competitiveness: While Genesee County agriculture may not have an absolute
disadvantage compared to regional (outside of New York) competitors, it does face
relative disadvantages in several significant areas: regulatory burden and higher cost
structure.
The agricultural and work place regulations in New York, in some cases, are significantly
more stringent than nearby state’s. For example, New York has its own pesticide
registration process that may delay or restrict the use of beneficial products. Also, the
State tends to adopt stricter nutrient management and workplace regulations.
The cost structure facing Genesee County farmers is driven by higher tax structure, which
is changing with support from the Governor, and high utility costs.
Management Recruitment: Agribusinesses and, to a lesser extent, farmers face difficulty
in recruiting qualified technical and professional expertise. This is due in large part to the
state’s reputation as business un-friendly and a high cost of living. With out changes in
this situation, it will be difficult to maintain a high level of intellectual capacity within the
agricultural industry.
Water Resources: Increased reliance on ground and surface water are a regional source
of concern. Aquifers do not respect political boundaries, and problems in one jurisdiction
can quickly expand across borders. Salt water intrusion is an example of this issue.
Regulatory Burden: Real or perceived, farmers and agribusinesses feel as if they are
under an increasing and unsustainable level of regulatory scrutiny. As new levels of
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