Agricultural Districts
Article 25-AA (PDF) of the Agriculture and Markets Law authorizes the creation of local agricultural districts pursuant to landowner initiative, preliminary county review, state certification, and county adoption. View a short overview of the benefits of Agricultural Districts fact sheet (PDF). More information on the Agricultural District program can be found on the New York State Agriculture and Markets page.
Agricultural Districts are recertified every 8 years by Madison County. The process involves many steps including: public hearings, landowner surveys, GIS mapping, Ag and Farmland Protection Board Review, and more. Madison County currently has 4 Ag. Districts.
Each October, Madison County holds an open enrollment period, whereby landowners have the opportunity to submit an application for consideration to be included in an agricultural district. Download the form below to enroll. Be sure to include a separate description of the land and current or planned activities to take place on the land when you send in your survey.