Hartford has received grant funding from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to develop an Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan. Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plans are intended to:
- Locate farmlands that should be protected/remain in agriculture if farming is to remain viable in the community
- Examine the value of farmland and the agricultural economy to the municipality
- Evaluate consequences of possible conversion of farmland to non-agricultural uses, and
- Describe activities, programs and strategies to promote continued agricultural use
Hartford, while developing its Comprehensive Plan, has already begun the process of planning to protect and enhance agriculture. This effort will build upon that work and will focus in greater detail on creating a business plan to support a viable and healthy agricultural economy in town, both in the near future and over the long-term.
Draft Plan to be Discussed at Public Meeting
The Town of Hartford Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan Committee is hosting a public meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 2 at the Hartford Fire Hall to review progress on the plan. The draft plan includes some background information on agriculture in Hartford, but primarily is focused on specific strategies for strengthening the town’s agricultural economy, including
- Promote Hartford as an agri-tourism destination
- Expand farm information on town website
- Improve signage for visitors
- Start a farmers’ market in Hartford
- Assist Hartford farmers with marketing
- Expand Hartford’s role in regional efforts
- Form the Hartford Agricultural Taskforce
- Direct resources to the agricultural sector
- Build partnerships
- Share information with farm community
- Support land use tax programs
Vision Statement
We will optimize the use of our land base to sustain a viable agricultural economy and way of life in Hartford. Our community will be proactive in fostering a strong and progressive agricultural economy by supporting:
- Farmers and business owners through careful consideration of the impact of all municipal actions and policies on agriculture and agricultural business with the intent of simplifying the process of starting, operating and expanding agriculture and agricultural businesses.
- Fair and equitable taxation that encourages landowners to keep productive land in agriculture, including farms operated on small acreages or as a secondary income source.
- Land use policies that encourage diversification of the town’s tax base, that minimize the amount of productive agricultural land converted and fragmented to accommodate non-farm uses, and that allow development which would not demand municipal and educational services in excess of the tax revenues it would generate.
- Organizations and programs that assist farmers, business owners and residents with maintaining a healthy, prosperous and sustainable agricultural economy.”
Exploring Potential Ag-Initiatives
Based on the committee's discussions and comments received on the farm operator survey, we are exploring the following areas as potential agricultural-based economic development strategies for Hartford and opportunities to increase the economic viability of the town's farms:
Farm Operator Survey
We conducted a survey of Hartford’s farmers in Deccember to gather the information we need about where we are right now, so we can start planning for a more profitable and vital future for farming in town. We heard more about the challenges the farm community is currently facing and what opportunities farmers see on the horizon. The survey results are available for download from the link on the left-hand side of this page.
Draft Ag Plan