Background:

• In 1992, the NYS Agricultural Protection Act reconstituted the former agricultural district advisory committees as county agricultural and farmland protection boards.  Seneca County’s Board was originally established in 1994 as AFPB, changed to AEB in 1998.  Agriculture Enhancement was more of a positive and futuristic title.
• Membership: should consist of at least 11 members representing Board of Supervisors, county planning, real property services, Cornell Cooperative Extension, chair of county Soil & Water District board, and at least 4 active farmers, one agribusiness representative, and a rep from an environmental and/or land preservation organization.  The farmer reps must reside in the county.
• Term is for three (#) years.  May be reappointed.

Authorized to:

• Advise the county legislative body about agricultural districts and serve as review committee.
• Review notice-of-intent filings.
• Make recommendations about proposed actions involving government acquisitions of farmland in agricultural districts.
• Prepare and update county agricultural and farmland protection plans (County Agricultural Enhancement Plan).
• Request review of state agency regulations that affect farm operations within and agricultural district.
• Review and endorse applications for New York Purchase Development Rights (PDR) funds.

Board:

• Doug Freier - Chairman, farmer
• Keith Tidball – Vice Chairman, farmer, environmental
• Shawn Bossard/Mike Dennis - Cornell Cooperative Extension, secretary to the Board
• Harriet Haynes – Seneca County Planning
• James Bastian – Seneca County Real Property Services
• David Kaiser – Seneca County Soil & Water District
• Patsy Amidon – Seneca County Board of Supervisors
• Brad Huffines – farmer
• Branden Zugibe – farmer, Farm Bureau Representative
• Gregory Wadhams – farmer
• Chris Tarr - agribusiness

Minutes:

• June 2008

• May 2008
• April 2008
• March 2008
• February 2008
• January 2008
• November 2007

• October 2007
• September 2007
• August 2007
• April 2007
• March 2007
• January 2007
• December 2006
• November 2006
• October 2006
• September 2006
• July 2006
• June 2006
• April 2006
• March 2006
• January 2006