§ 321. Statement of legislative findings and intent. It is hereby found and declared that agricultural lands are irreplaceable state assets. In an effort to maintain the economic viability, and environmental and landscape preservation values associated with agriculture, the state must explore ways to sustain the state’s valuable farm economy and to protect farm operations […]
§ 322. Definitions. When used in this article: 1. “Agricultural and farmland protection” means the preservation, conservation, management or improvement of lands which are part of viable farming operations, for the purpose of encouraging such lands to remain in agricultural production. Such preservation efforts include the use of farmland protection conservation easements and purchase of […]
§ 323. State agricultural and farmland protection program. The commissioner shall initiate and maintain a state agricultural and farmland protection program to provide financial and technical assistance, within funds available, to counties, municipalities, soil and water conservation districts, and not-for-profit conservation organizations for their agricultural and farmland protection efforts. Activities to be conducted by the […]
§ 324. County agricultural and farmland protection plans. 1. County agricultural and farmland protection boards may develop plans, in cooperation with the local soil and water conservation district and soil conservation service, which shall include, but not be limited to: (a) the location of any land or areas proposed to be protected; (b) an analysis […]
§ 324-a. Municipal agricultural and farmland protection plans. 1. Municipalities may develop agricultural and farmland protection plans, in cooperation with cooperative extension and other organizations, including local farmers. These plans shall include, but not be limited to: (a) the location of any land or areas proposed to be protected; (b) an analysis of the following […]
§ 325. Agricultural protection. 1. Subject to the availability of funds, a program is hereby established to finance through state assistance payments the state share of the costs of locally-led agricultural and farmland protection activities. State assistance payments for planning activities shall not exceed fifty thousand dollars to each county agricultural and farmland protection board […]
§ 325-a. State assistance payments to not-for-profit conservation organizations. 1. Subject to the availability of funds, a program is hereby established for the purpose of awarding state assistance to not-for-profit conservation organizations for activities that will assist counties and municipalities with their agricultural and farmland protection efforts. To be eligible, an organization shall have at […]
§ 326. Promulgation of rules and regulations. The commissioner is empowered to promulgate such rules and regulations and to prescribe such forms as he or she deems necessary to effectuate the purposes of this article.
