Fulton County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan

Agriculture is a vital component of Fulton County’s economy, landscape, and rural heritage. It supports local food systems, tourism, and community character while contributing significantly to the economy through farm operations and related agribusinesses. However, local farmers face economic, environmental, and policy challenges that threaten the long-term viability of agriculture.

Recognizing the need for an updated strategy, Fulton County has developed an Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan to guide future policies, investments, and support mechanisms. The Plan aims to ensure that agriculture remains a strong and sustainable industry, balancing growth, conservation, and economic development.

The Plan updates and builds upon the 2002 Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan, integrating new data, emerging opportunities, and current threats. It aligns with the  Vision 2026 Development Strategy , reinforcing agriculture as a cornerstone of economic development in the County. The following is a brief summary of the plan's findings and recommendations. To view the plan in its entirety  follow this link .

The development of this Plan was a collaborative effort, led by the Fulton County Planning Department with input from the Fulton County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board (AFPB) and key stakeholders, including farmers, farmland owners, ag-related businesses, and community organizations.

Funded by a grant from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the planning process included:

Data Collection & Analysis: Reviewing agricultural census data, economic trends, and farmland usage patterns.

Public Engagement: Conducting surveys, focus groups, interviews, and open houses to gather input from farmers and residents.

Mapping & Land Use Assessment: Identifying priority farmlands, agricultural trends, and conversion pressures.

Policy & Regulatory Review: Evaluating zoning, land use regulations, and existing municipal policies for farm-friendliness.

Strategic Development: Outlining goals, priorities, and recommendations to enhance and protect agriculture.

Fulton County’s agricultural sector is diverse but faces several challenges and opportunities.  According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, the County has 205 farms covering 23,234 acres of farmland, with an average farm size of 113 acres, which is smaller than the state average. Farms in the county primarily focus on livestock (45%) and crops (55%), with forage crops, corn for grain, Christmas trees, soybeans, apples, and vegetables being the most common.

The economic impact of agriculture in Fulton County is significant, with total agricultural product sales reaching $9.4 million in 2022. However, farm profitability has declined, with a 91% drop in net cash farm income over the past five years. Small farms dominate the County, with 59% of farms generating less than $10,000 annually and 12% earning over $100,000. Direct-to-consumer sales are growing, with 17% of farms selling their products directly to consumers at farm stands and farmers' markets.

The farming population is aging, with 60% of farm operators aged 55 or older, while only 6% are under 35. Workforce shortages and a lack of farm succession planning pose risks to the future of agriculture in the County. Additionally, land availability and development pressures are increasing, as residential and solar development encroach on agricultural lands.

Despite these challenges, new trends are emerging, including growth in specialty agriculture, agritourism, and direct-to-consumer sales. Maple syrup production has increased significantly, and niche markets such as farm-based craft beverages and farm tourism are expanding. However, issues such as rising production costs, inadequate local processing facilities, and limited broadband access continue to hinder farm operations.

The following maps are included in the Plan, and illustrate the current agricultural conditions in Fulton County. Click on a map and/or use the arrows to advance through the maps to see all eight inventory maps. Agricultural uses were determined from a combination of tax parcel data and assessments, imagery analysis, and local knowledge. For a discussion of the data shown on these maps refer to the  full Plan .

An analysis identified the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) facing agriculture based on all previous tasks and input. Key features include:

 Strengths:

• Strong community support for local agriculture.
• Growth in direct sales, agritourism, and farm-to-table initiatives.
• High-quality farmland and agricultural soils.
• Existing farm-friendly policies such as Agricultural Districts.

 Weaknesses:

• Declining dairy and livestock operations.
• Lack of processing facilities (meat, dairy, value-added products).
• Limited access to financing and grants for small farms.
• Labor shortages and difficulty attracting younger farmers.

 Opportunities:

• Expansion of agritourism and direct-to-consumer sales.
• Investment in meat processing, food hubs, and value-added production.
• Strengthening farm-friendly zoning and land use policies.
• Diversifying agriculture with specialty crops (e.g., flowers, hops, berries, poultry, apiaries, hemp, etc.).
• Enhancing public awareness and education on agriculture’s economic impact.

 Threats:

• Continued land conversion for solar and residential development.
• Climate change impacts such as unpredictable weather patterns.
• Economic pressures, including high taxes and low commodity prices.
• Lack of a younger generation willing to take over farms.

Fulton County envisions a future with a vibrant, resilient, and economically robust agricultural sector. We are committed to preserving our rich agricultural heritage, encouraging the next generation of farmers, and enhancing farm profitability. We will support efforts to promote local food production, increase agritourism, and diversify farm operations to ensure that agriculture remains a cornerstone of our economy and a source of pride for all residents. Together, we will cultivate a future where agriculture flourishes, rural character is protected, and farming remains an important part of Fulton County’s identity.

1. Increase profitability of farm operations and the long-term viability of agriculture.
2. Enhance marketing and promotion of Fulton County farms and agricultural products.
3. Advocate for policies and collaboration at the local, County, State, and federal levels that support and protect the interests of farmers.
4. Enhance agritourism opportunities.
5. Strengthen community engagement and education in support of local agriculture.
6. Ensure that farmers in Fulton County have support for and access to the latest research, technology, and financial resources.
7. Promote environmental stewardship and sustainable farming practices that conserve natural resources, reduce environmental impact,  enhance soil health and biodiversity, and assist farmers in addressing changes in weather patterns.
8. Minimize adverse impacts of solar development on agriculture and lands that support agriculture.
9. Improve agricultural infrastructure to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of local farms.
10. Encourage a new generation of farmers.

To address the County’s goals, the Plan outlines strategic recommendations and priority actions, categorized under five (5) focus areas:

• Expand farm tours, festivals, and other agritourism activities.
• Develop farm-to-table dining experiences and local food branding.
• Create an online directory of local farms and products.

• Create brochures and other materials to promote farms and orchards.
• Improve wayfinding to direct visitors to farmstands and farmers’ markets.
• Expand outreach to residents about local healthy eating options.

• Increase county funding for the local Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) office.
• Improve agricultural tax assessment and enforcement.
• Encourage succession planning by older farmers.
• Provide financial support for farm expansion and diversification.

• Enhance agricultural education programs in schools and colleges.
• Provide mentorship, training, and financial support for young farmers.
• Expand farm-to-school programs.

• Promote farm-friendly land use regulations at the municipal level.
• Establish best practices for solar development.
• Enact a countywide right-to-farm law.

The success of this Plan relies on collaborative implementation among:

• County and municipal governments
• Farmers, agribusinesses, and cooperatives
• Agricultural support agencies and organizations
• Economic development and tourism organizations

Fulton County Planning, with input from the County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board will take a lead role in initiating these efforts, seeking funding, and fostering partnerships to ensure the long-term sustainability of agriculture as a core asset in the County.

The Fulton County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan provides a comprehensive strategy for strengthening local agriculture, ensuring long-term farm profitability, and protecting farmland for future generations. By implementing these recommendations, Fulton County can foster a thriving, diverse, and sustainable agricultural economy that supports both farmers and the wider community.

The interactive map below contains the parcels identified during the planning process as most likely to have agricultural uses. “Primary” agricultural parcels are those that are classified by the local tax assessor as having an agricultural use (100 class codes in the assessment manual) or classified as vacant (300 class codes) or forestry (900 class codes), but receiving an agricultural tax assessment. “Secondary” agricultural parcels are those coded by the assessor as something other than an agricultural use, typically a residential use.

Clicking on a parcel will bring up a pop-up with additional information on the location, size and use (when determined) of the parcel. Click the expansion arrows in the top right to allow interactive zooming with your scroll wheel, otherwise use the plus and minus buttons on the lower right to zoom in and out. Click and drag on the map to pan.