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PLANNING A FUTURE FOR AGRICULTURE: Why County Farmland Protection Plans Matter New York's undisputed economic hub — Manhattan —is changing the lay of the land in picturesque Rensselaer County. The agricultural community near Albany now sees growth it never expected from its perch high up the Hudson, as New Yorkers seeking a more rural setting commute 120 miles each way to the Big Apple from new homes in Rensselaer. "It's very pretty, and a lot of people move out of the cities to live here," says Linda von der Heide, the county's principal planner. "There is quite a bit of sprawl in agricultural areas because they are open and easier to develop." Rensselaer officials decided to take a stand. County planners teamed up with Cornell Cooperative Extension, members of the county Farm Bureau, county legislators and economic development specialists to create a comprehensive plan to protect agriculture and the rural nature of their community. Today, county officials combat farmland loss with an arsenal of strategies. Rensselaer County's successful planning experience demon- strates how comprehensive local efforts can protect farmers, farming and farmland. New York offers local planning grants for this purpose, as do other states like Ohio, Wisconsin and California. "Having a local land protection plan is the only way to ensure that your resources —both financial and political — are used as effectively as possible," says Jill Schwartz, AFT's marketing director. "If you protect your best farmland, you are one step closer to making sure your local agricultural industry remains strong." ow Volume V, Issue 2 Spring 2002 In This ISS[!e: 1: PLANNING A FUTURE FOR AGRICULTURE:. Why County Farmland .: Protection Plans Matter 1.. KEEPING FARMLAND ACCESSIBLE St. AFFORDABLE: A Conversation with Equity Trust's Chuck. Matthei*.. 3 POLICY REPORT WHAT'S. IN THAT SILO? Farms bt Cell Phone Infrastructure, 4'*`WHEN IS A HORSE FARM REALLY A FARM?: 7 . LAY OF THE LAND Effective local plans usually hinge upon: • A broad base of support and a consensus- building process; • Compatibility with, or inclusion in, a larger county land use plan; - A focus on the most strategic land; • A mix of incentive -based and regulatory land use techniques; • Techniques for agricultural economic development; and • Policy and /or funding support from the state. continued on page 6 KEEPING FARMLAND ACCESSIBLE & AFFORDABLE: A Conversation with Equity Trust's Chuck Matthei Like a Johnny Appleseed for land conservation, Equity Trust Executive Director Chuck Matthei has spread innovative models of land ownership and tenure. From Connecticut to California, Matthei has helped sprout a new generation of protected farms whose ownership structure is designed to keep the land accessible and affordable to farmers. "We see our role as a catalyst," Matthei says of Equity Trust's operations. "We're trying to call attention to some of these issues that might have been overlooked and to help develop the tools individuals, organizations and others can use to address those issues." Throughout his career, Matthei, 54, has helped community land trusts provide and maintain affordable housing through alternative ownership structures. With the founding of Equity Trust in 1991, Matthei expanded his focus to address critical land tenure issues faced by farmers. y�y LAND"6RKS Serving the people who conserve the land Securing the long -term affordability to farmers of easement - protected land is an emerg- a, - ., m - ing issue. Affluent people seeking second or retirement homes are willing to buy farms American Farmland Trust continued on Dace 2