OSSIAN – Ossian is one of two towns in New York State to receive grant money to further preserve its farmland for future generations.
According to a press release from Livingston County, the grant comes from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to help Ossian and the Town of Mentz in Cayuga County develop farmland protection plans.
“As a farmer, I know that land is an irreplaceable asset that needs to be preserved in order to ensure the success of our farmers, the industry and the economy,” said NYS Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball. “I encourage county governments to take a close look at their current farmland protection plans and revise out-of-date strategies to provide their farmers with the best resources possible to succeed.”
A total of over $160,000 will go to three counties and two towns to develop agricultural and farmland protection plans. Albany County will receive $50,000, Madison County will receive $33,600, Niagara County will receive $30,000, the Town of Mentz will receive $25,000 and the Town of Ossian will receive $25,000.
Livingston County said in its press release that planning grants provide local and county municipalities with an economic incentive to develop agricultural and farmland protection plans. This is the eighth round of funding for municipal grants and the fifth round of funding for county planning grants. With the addition of these awards, New York has now helped fund agricultural and farmland protection plans in 20 counties and 79 towns. The program is funded through the state’s Environmental Protection Fund, which has nearly doubled to $300 million in this year’s 2016-17 Budget.
“The grant awarded to the Town of Ossian by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets will allow our town to develop a local agricultural and farmland enhancement plan,” said Ossian Town Supervisor Dwight Knapp. “ This plan will help to protect our valuable resources and serve as a guide for the future, ensuring that agriculture remains Ossian’s number one industry.”
As part of the planning process, lands are identified to be protected based on the amount of prime soils they have, farm activity, development pressure, and possible consequences of conversion to non-farm use. Plans also evaluate local land use codes to ensure that zoning and subdivision regulations do not unreasonably restrict agricultural activities and that opportunities for growth are incorporated into future development plans.