November 20, 2004

County’s Farmland Gets Added Protection: Board Approves Agricultural & Farmland Protection Plan

The Westchester County Board of Legislators (the Board) voted unanimously at its November 22, 2004 meeting to adopt the “Agricultural & Farmland Protection Plan (the Plan),” an initiative that will enable the County to take advantage of certain grants and funding opportunities earmarked for preserving farmland. Tom Abinanti (D-Greenburgh), chair of the Board’s Committee on the Environment, along with Michael B. Kaplowitz (D-Somers), immediate past Chair, and Ursula G. LaMotte (R-Bedford), applauded the Board’s continuation of its pro-active role in preserving what’s left of the County’s diminished farmland acreage. “Westchester’s pastoral heritage must be protected--- farmland is an important part of Westchester’s historical character,” said Abinanti. “Preserving farmland adds to the County’s inventory of open spaces, offers economic benefits and reduces the density pressures, such as traffic, brought on by rampant development.”

A combination of factors contributed to the 36% decrease in County farmland between 1983 and 1994. To stem this sudden land use transformation, the Board created the “Westchester County Agriculture & Farmland Protection Board (AFPB)” in 1999. “AFPB was established to maintain the economic viability, environmental and landscape preservation values associated with agriculture,” stated Michael Kaplowitz, an active member of the AFPB since its inception. He added, “Once we established AFPB, we took the next step and created an Agricultural District which currently consists of about 150 farming entities that span over 11,000 acres. The Plan the Board just adopted provides Westchester County with a blueprint for action to protect the remaining agricultural lands in the County.”

“I look forward to adding more parcels of property to our Agricultural District, which means adding to Westchester’s inventory of protected open land,” said Ursula LaMotte, the legislator representing Bedford, referring to the public hearing that will be held on December 13th that will consider adding 19 additions to Westchester’s Agricultural District. “Many of these parcels are in my district, and the additions will enhance our region’s quality of life.”

Kaplowitz, who also chairs the Board’s Committee on Budget & Appropriations, also noted that the County’s farmland and agriculture yield many economic benefits. “Promoting agri-business also provides jobs to Westchester’s residents,” he stated.