SENECA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL ENHANCEMENT BOARD SEEKS APPLICATIONS

The Seneca County Agricultural Enhancement Board (AEB) seeks pre-applications for the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets Farmland Protection Implementation Grants Program (FPIG) funded through the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets.  This program has been used to reimburse farmland property owners for up to 75% of the value of development rights as a means to protect land for farm use in perpetuity.  Two farms in Seneca County are under contract.  The AEB is accepting applications at this time to gauge the interest of property owners.  When the request for proposals is issued by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets is made, the AEB will evaluate the pre-applications and make decisions on which projects will be endorsed for further review at the state level. For more information and to access the application please click here.

Time to Subscribe to the

Seneca County CCE

Ag Program!

Fall is here and with it comes the annual Agriculture Program subscription renewal. For those that are currently subscribed to the Cooperative Extension Ag Program you have received notice in your mail to renew by the end of the year. This is also the time for new subscribers to complete the paperwork. The subscription year runs between January and December. Renew or subscribe soon in order to take advantage of the various newsletters, announcements, and other information that you will receive when you become a Seneca County Cornell Cooperative Extension Agricultural Program subscriber. Subscription form and rates are described here and will not be pro rated so get yours in soon! If you would like a copy mailed to you please call Julia at 315-539-9251.

Seneca County Farm Statistics

Seneca County is located in the Finger Lakes region, bordering both Cayuga and Seneca Lakes. In 2003, there were 127,000 acres in farms, 61 percent of the county's total 207,944 acres. There were 465 farms in the county averaging 273 acres per farm. Seneca county ranks 44th in the state for number of farms and 29th for land in farms.

In 2002, according to the Census of Agriculture, the market value of all agricultural products sold from county farms was $45.2 million. Total sales averaged $97,089 per farm. The leading products sold were: dairy products, grains & dry beans, cattle & calves, fruits & nuts, and hogs & pigs.

The average value of land and buildings per farm in 2002 was $423,149. Machinery and equipment were valued at $163,660 per farm. Total production expenses in 2002 were $43.7 million for an average of $94,405 per farm. The Census showed 65 percent of the farm operators reported farming as their principal occupation. The average age of the operator was 50.9 years. The Department of Commerce showed the median household income in 1999 was $37,140.