Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan - Town of Liberty
Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan - Town of Liberty
Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan - Town of Liberty
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Draft <strong>Town</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Liberty</strong> <strong>Agriculture</strong> <strong>and</strong> Farml<strong>and</strong> <strong>Protection</strong> <strong>Plan</strong><br />
full time employees <strong>and</strong> 113 part time or seasonal employees. Gross sales<br />
contribute at least $8,784,999.00 to the economy. While not all <strong>of</strong> these<br />
businesses cater only to agriculture, the feed dealers, machinery sales <strong>and</strong><br />
repair, equipment, <strong>and</strong> almost all but one direct sale <strong>of</strong> farm products<br />
businesses grossed over $500,000 each.<br />
Most participants were aged between 35 <strong>and</strong> 49 years old. Most had lived in<br />
the county for more than 20 years (73%). Seventy percent had college<br />
degrees <strong>and</strong> four had some college but no degrees. About 35% said that<br />
their business coming from Sullivan County has decreased over the past 5<br />
years while 41% said it has stayed about the same. 21% said they have<br />
seen increases in local business. The businesses that saw increases were<br />
machinery sales <strong>and</strong> repair, equipment, direct sales <strong>of</strong> farm produce,<br />
financial, <strong>and</strong> a garden greenhouse business.<br />
It is obvious that these businesses do not rely totally on ag clients from<br />
within the county to support their businesses. Only 10% had more than<br />
74% <strong>of</strong> their business derived locally.<br />
Some Opinions<br />
There was general consensus that there would be a smaller number <strong>of</strong> farms<br />
in the county one way or another (either moving out or being absorbed into<br />
a bigger farm). About ½ felt that there were still opportunities for farm<br />
diversification.<br />
About 45% felt that drilling could help agriculture, but 24% felt it could<br />
impede it. Others had no opinion.<br />
Many <strong>of</strong> the businesses were optimistic about growing their business <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
the 29, only three said they would be decreasing their agricultural sales over<br />
the next 10 years.<br />
About 86% said they had some level <strong>of</strong> concern (very concerned or<br />
somewhat concerned) about loss <strong>of</strong> farml<strong>and</strong>. The three that indicated they<br />
were not very concerned included a pet feed company, equipment business<br />
<strong>and</strong> a roadside st<strong>and</strong> direct sale business.<br />
General Businesses Support for<br />
Farm friendly zoning<br />
Use <strong>of</strong> differential assessments<br />
Sullivan County Ag <strong>Plan</strong><br />
Loan Programs<br />
Growing new farmers<br />
PDR<br />
Conservation Easements<br />
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