The 2018 Albany County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan was adopted by the Albany County Legislature and approved by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets in February of 2019. This document is an update of the original plan that was adopted in 2004. The plan was funded by a Farmland Protection Planning Grant from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets with matching funds provided by Albany County.

The County contracted with ACDS, LLC, a consultant specializing in agricultural development and management consulting, to lead the project with support from Tom Gallagher of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Albany County, Laura DeGaetano of the County Department of Economic Development, Conservation and Planning, and the Albany County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board as well as an Advisory Committee created to help inform the process.

The resulting plan presents goals and strategies to support and enhance Albany County’s agricultural industry and agricultural land now and into the future. The update brings the county’s agricultural and farmland protection plan into alignment with current conditions in agricultural and food industries, while updating policy and program recommendations to reflect best practices in the industry.

View the 2018 Albany County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan

Online Resources

The following websites offer additional agricultural statistics in Albany County and guidance on how to protect farmland and enhance agriculture:

• USDA Census of Agriculture
• National Agricultural Statistics Service County Level Data
• National Agricultural Statistics Service Query Tool
• New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
• Cornell University Small Farms
• American Farmland Trust