Agricultural Districts

Currently, these districts contain over 199,000 acres, as shown on this map:

• District #20 — 43,261 acres
  Towns of Clinton, Hyde Park, Milan, Pleasant Valley, Red Hook, and Rhinebeck
• District #21 — 98,731 acres
  Towns of Amenia, North East, Pine Plains, Stanford, and Washington
• District #22 — 18,169 acres
  Towns of East Fishkill, Fishkill, LaGrange, Poughkeepsie, and Wappinger
• District #23 — 38,994 acres
  Towns of Beekman, Dover, Union Vale, and Pawling

For more information on Agricultural Districts, view our eNewsletter entitled, Agricultural Districts Law: Both Farmers & Municipalities Play a Role (.pdf), as well as this brochure from NYS entitled Frequently Asked Questions regarding Agricultural Districts (.pdf).  

Every year, from April 15th through May 14th, the Dutchess County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board (AFPB) accepts applications from landowners who wish to enroll their parcel(s) into one of Dutchess County’s four Agricultural Districts (i.e. 20, 21, 22, and 23). 

Following this application period, the AFPB will review the submitted parcels and makes recommendations to the County Legislature for the inclusion of agriculturally viable properties that serve the public interest by assisting in maintaining a viable agricultural industry within the district. 

Note: Landowners whose parcels are already included in an Agricultural District are not required to apply as part of the annual inclusion process.

Every eight years, the AFPB initiates a full review and certification process for all Districts, which is administered by the Dutchess County Department of Planning and Development, with significant help from Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County and the Dutchess County Soil & Water Conservation District. The most recent 8-year certification process (2015-2016) resulted in a recommendation to include 4,315 parcels into newly certified Districts to the County Legislature; more details are available in the 2015-2016 Agricultural District Review report (.pdf). 

Please note that Agricultural Districts may be confused with the following:

• Agricultural Value Assessment Program: The Agricultural Value Assessment Program provides property tax relief for landowners by requiring that eligible farmland is assessed based on actual agricultural production value rather than its full market value. A landowner must still file an application with the local assessor to receive an agricultural value assessment, whether or not the parcel is in a certified Agricultural District. For more information on the Agricultural Value Assessment Program, contact the Dutchess County Real Property Tax Service Agency at 845-486-2140. Additionally, please view our eNewsletter entitled, Agricultural Districts vs. Agricultural Assessments: What is the Difference, and Why Do They Matter? (.pdf).
• Local Zoning: Local zoning districts are designated by towns, villages, or cities, and may also be named “Agricultural Districts”. Local zoning codes define where agriculture and farming are allowed by the respective municipality, while State-certified agricultural districts provide certain protections to agricultural operations within their bounds. For more information on your local zoning laws, please contact your municipality directly.