The Dutchess County Right-to-Farm Dispute Resolution Committee was established as part of the adoption of Resolution No. 2019178 (LL No. 3 of 2019). The committee acts as a dispute resolution mechanism so that complaints related to farming activities, which cannot be settled by the involved parties themselves, may be submitted to the Committee for their review.
The committee is composed of the Chair of the Dutchess County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board (AFPB) and the Commissioner of the Dutchess County Department of Planning and Development (or their designated representatives), as well as a representative from the NYS Agricultural Mediation Program.
Once a dispute resolution request has been received, the Committee will meet to discuss the facts surrounding the dispute – all parties are encouraged to partake in these discussions. The committee will render a written, non-binding decision (meaning all parties have the right to request input/guidance from other agencies). The hope is that this may be done prior to, or if desired, alternatively to reaching out to the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets.
If you wish to have the Committee review your complaint, please send an email to the Dutchess County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board, or send a letter to the AFPB (c/o the Dutchess County Soil and Water Conservation District, Dutchess County Farm and Home Center, 2715 US 44, Millbrook, NY 12545).
