Agricultural districts provide the framework to limit unreasonable local regulation on farm practices, to modify public agencies' ability to acquire farmland through eminent domain, and to modify the right to advance public funds to construct facilities that encourage development. The law also requires state agencies to modify their administrative regulations and procedures to encourage the continuation of farm businesses. Right to Farm provisions provide protection from private nuisance suits for land in agricultural districts and parcels receiving agricultural assessments outside districts.

Otsego County has 12 Agricultural Districts created under Article 25AA that encompasses 186,436 total acres. The first district was formed in 1973 and includes the towns of Laurens, Morris, Otego, and Oneonta. The most recent district was formed in 1994 in the towns of Burlington, Exeter and Edmeston. The largest district is 31,692 acres in the towns of Springfield, Cherry Valley and Middlefield.

Benefit assessments, special ad valorem levies, or other rates and fees for the finance of improvements such as water, sewer or nonfarm drainage may not be imposed upon land used in agricultural production and within an agricultural district unless such charges were imposed prior to the formation of the agricultural district.

The Agricultural Districts Law also provides for reduced property tax bills for land in agricultural production by limiting the assessment of such land to its prescribed agricultural assessment value. Owners whose land satisfies the eligibility requirements may apply for an agricultural assessment.

How Agricultural Assessment Values are Determined
There are two factors necessary in determining agricultural assessments. First, a land classification system is needed to establish the different levels of land quality for which values must be determined. Second, a base agricultural assessment value must be calculated and an agricultural assessment per acre assigned for each level of land quality designated.

For additional information on the agricultural assessment program contact any of the following: