ROOM AT THE TABLE - Intersight - University at Buffalo

organizations for their preservation efforts. 36 County Agricultural and
Farmland Protection Boards may develop plans that must include the location
of any land or areas proposed to be protected, an analysis of the following
factors concerning the proposed land: value to the agricultural economy of
the county; open space value; consequences of possible conversion; and
level of conversion pressure on the lands or areas proposed to be protected,
and a description of the activities, programs and strategies intended to be
used by the county to promote continued agricultural use. 37
NEW YORK LEGISLATIVE FUNCTIONS
Within the New York State Legislature, there is a Legislative
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of the State Legislature, the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources
is charged with “creating a common vision of rural New York; fostering a
productive dialogue among stakeholders such as academics, governmental
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strengthening and improving policies that promote vibrant growth in New
York’s rural areas.” 38 Currently chaired by Senator Catharine Young (R­
57th ), Young represents a large portion of Southern Erie County, including
such municipalities such as Jamestown and Olean, New York. 39 As the
Commission deals with a myriad of issues facing rural New York, one
featured item in a recent newsletter references a newly­formed group, Lake
Erie Women in Agriculture. Created in Erie County, the group seeks to help
women farmers make connections with, and learn from, other women in
agriculture, and provide information about practices that improve farm
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As demonstrated above, there are various legal tools available
to both county governments and individual farmers across New York
State. In providing an array of incentives, municipalities are able to work
collaboratively with local stakeholders to formulate regional agricultural
policy, while also creating districts that will retain their rural character.
66