Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan

In 2023, the Fulton County Board of Supervisors hired Community Planning and Environmental Associates to update the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan, funded by a Farmland Protection Planning Grant from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, with matching funds from Fulton County. The original plan from 2002 became outdated shortly after adoption because it highlighted the need for a dedicated agriculture specialist. Due to budgetary constraints, the role never materialized, and many of the goals and initiatives this staff member would have handled did not come to fruition. A quarter-century later, Fulton County’s agricultural strategy focuses on next-generation farmers, consumers, succession planning, marketing, and tourism through new, renewed, or expanded partnerships. A “buy local” mentality has been developing for some time, driven by close-knit communities and strengthened by localism and farm-to-table initiatives. Some highlights of the plan include:

·         Focus on agritourism activities through the Fulton County Visitor’s Bureau

·         Marketing campaign “Food and Farms Fulton County” which highlights local farms and producers, farm stands, and farmers’ markets

·         Niche markets such as farm-based craft beverages (such as beer and cider), which are scattered throughout the county

·         Open dialogue with farmers and solar developers on renewable energy

·         Started dialogue with the Amish community related to succession planning with assistance through Cornell Cooperative Extension of Fulton and Montgomery Counties.

·         Policy recommendations related to Right-to-Farm laws and renewable energy

·         Ag. Assessments of municipal documents for the Town of Johnstown, Town of Mayfield, Town of Perth, and Town of Caroga

·         Collaboration with Fulton County Agriculture and the Farmland Protection Plan, and the Fulton County Farm Bureau

To view the 2025 plan, please click here. A user-friendly version highlighting the plan's key points can be found on the plan’s StoryMap.
To view the 2002 plan, please click here.

The following websites offer additional agricultural support and resources: 

• Adirondack Land Trust
• American Farmland Trust
• Cornell University Small Farms
• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Fulton and Montgomery County
• Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship (CADE)
• Food & Farm Fulton County
• Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District 
• Fulton County Farm Bureau
• Saratoga Plan
• Schoharie Land Trust
• USDA Census of Agriculture