Dutchess County Set to Release New Agriculture Publication

Farmers make the world go round and they are extremely important to our Hudson Valley community.

The Dutchess County Department of Planning and Development announced this week in a press release the addition of a new publication which will explore "how communities can integrate farm-friendly practices into local land use documents."

It's called Blueprint: An In-Depth Look at Planning Issues. The first issue, titled Fielding Farm-Friendliness Through Planning and Zoning, will outline the tools needed by Dutchess County communities to "implement farm-friendly practices in their zoning code."

It will break down the following:

•   defining agricultural uses;
•   utilizing agricultural land preservation;
•   employing a modified site plan review;
•   zoning for farm markets and roadside stands; and
•   allowing alternative energy for agricultural purposes.

With the new publication comes a 5-part virtual series called Farming in Dutchess from The Dutchess County Agricultural Advisory Committee . The press release explains in detail what to expect from each episode of the new virtual program:

This event includes a live panel discussion with six agricultural stakeholders –two farmers, an assessor, a landowner, and two land conservationists. The session discussion will include topics such as Agricultural Value Assessment, both from the perspective of the assessor and farmer/landowner; lease agreements, including securing a farmer on leased land; and opportunities to enhance farmland preservation. A question-and-answer session for audience members will follow the discussion.

The first episode will air Wednesday, February 24th at 7pm, hosted by Dutchess County Agricultural Advisory Committee. Future episodes will focus on AG Education, Food Security, Social and Land Devolvement Pressure and Resurgence of Local Food/Farm Markets and Stores.

For more details on Blueprint and the Farming in Dutchess Virtual Series, visit DutchessCounty.Gov for more details.