Agriculture

With a strong history of dairy farming, maple production and forest-based manufacturing, Lewis County is an agricultural leader in New York State. Nearly 75% of the county land area is either agricultural land or forested. In 2007, Lewis County ranked fifth in New York in milk production and first in maple syrup, and in 2009, Farm Futures listed Lewis County as one of the Best Places to Farm in the United States. Lewis County ranks 154 out of 3,005 counties in the U.S. and fourth in New York State.

Agriculture Enhancement Plan
The Agriculture Enhancement Plan was prepared in 2004 as a guide for Lewis County and the various local and regional agricultural support groups. The document has been developed in accordance with New York State Agricultural and Markets Law Article 25-AAA, to be adopted by the Lewis County Legislature.

Ag Enhancement Plan

Agricultural Districts
Article 25-AA of the Agriculture and Markets Law authorizes the creation of local agricultural districts pursuant to landowner initiative, preliminary county review, state certification, and county adoption. The purpose of agricultural districting is to encourage the continued use of farmland for agricultural production.

Annual Inclusion Period - Property can only be removed from the Agricultural District during the eight year recertification process.  However, active agricultural land that is not already in the Agricultural District can be added to the district during the annual inclusion period. This period has been designated in Lewis County to occur every year from November 15 to December 15.

Agricultural District Map

Other Resources:
cornell.edu/lewis
lewiscountysoilandwater.com
agmkt.state.ny.us/F2S/index.html