ROOM AT THE TABLE - Intersight - University at Buffalo

In Erie County, a landowner must petition the county to be included
within a particular agricultural district. Such requested information includes
!30$$,)!0/,"#(".(/4'(B+,#!,B03(.0+&('#/'+B+,$'E('$/,&0/'1(0##%03(-+"$$(.0+&(
income, and the amount of capital investment over the past 8 years. If
the landowner intends to lease the land to a farmer, the landowner must
specify the number of acres used for farming purposes, the total amount
of land the landowner intends to rent out for farming growing purposes,
and the name of the farmer. Lastly, the county requests a very detailed
breakdown of agricultural production for the preceding year, which must
include an itemized list of rented and owned acres, crops harvested, number
of livestock and poultry, and other miscellaneous items. Applications are
only accepted during the month of November in the year immediately
following the year of agricultural production information submitted. As
referenced above, any landowner within an agricultural district can apply
for an agricultural assessment. 34 All taxing jurisdictions across the State can
apply for relief from the State, in an amount equal to half of the tax loss
that results from requests for agricultural assessments in the district. 35 Stated
simply, each taxing jurisdiction can apply to recover half of the total lost
revenue attributable to agricultural assessments.
Currently, Erie County has 14 agricultural districts within the county.
They are: Alden­Newstead, Amherst, Brant­Evans, Clarence­Newstead,
Collins, Concord, Eden, Elma, Holland, Lancaster­Alden, Marilla, North
Collins, Sardinia, and Wales (See Figure 6.1). The districts are mostly
scattered on the outer edges of the county, especially around the eastern and
southern borders.
AGRICULTURAL AND FARMLAND PROTECTION PROGRAM
New York State Agriculture and Markets Law § 323 empowers the
Commissioner to establish and maintain a state agricultural and farmland
B+"/'!/,"#(B+"-+0&(/"(B+"*,1'()#0#!,03(0#1(/'!4#,!03(0$$,$/0#!'(:H4'#(.%#1$(
0+'( 0*0,3023'>( /"( !"%#/,'$E( &%#,!,B03,/,'$E( 0#1( #"/A."+AB+")/( !"#$'+*0/,"#(
65
Figure 6.1 - Agricultural Districts in Erie County
(Source: Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, 2011)