For generations, Putnam County’s farms have played a vital role in our community—providing fresh, local food, preserving open space, and contributing to the local economy. Agriculture has long been recognized as a key part of our county’s identity and sustainability, supported by policies designed to protect farmland and help farmers thrive.
However, recent changes in county legislative decisions are raising concerns about the future of farming in Putnam. Farmers seeking inclusion in the Agricultural District—a program that offers important protections—have faced repeated denials, even when their applications were approved by the Agricultural Board.
Additionally, the Agricultural Board itself has not met since July 2024, leaving many questions about the process and its impact on local farms.
At the same time, some towns have begun applying stricter code enforcement measures, which can create unexpected challenges for farmers navigating the approval process. Public records related to the Agricultural District have also become less accessible, leading to further uncertainty about the county’s approach to farmland preservation.
These developments raise important questions about the direction of agricultural policy in Putnam County and what it means for local farmers and the broader community. Understanding these changes and their potential impact is the first step in ensuring that Putnam’s agricultural heritage remains strong for generations to come.
Here’s what WE can do to show support:
Show Up
On Tuesday, March 18th, there will be a Physical Committee meeting. This committee is responsible for hearing and addressing concerns that relate to this very issue. This meeting will follow the Health Committee meeting which starts at 6:00.
While as of now, there is nothing for this on the agenda, a showing of public support could go a long way to alerting our legislators that the Public is aware of this issue and it cannot, and will not, be ignored.
Write to The Putnam County Legislature
Here is a sample email/Letter sent to me that the public can use to show their support of accepting qualified farms with reasonable requirements into the Putnam County Agricultural District.
Feel free to copy and paste some or all of this sample into your own message into an email or letter, then modify it with YOUR OWN thoughts and concerns.
Background Info:
Several publications have shed light on this alarming issue, so as you use this template, feel free to become even more familiar with the facts:
The Template:
Mail or email letters to:
“The Honorable [Legislator’s Full Name]
40 Gleneida Avenue
Carmel, NY 10512
District 1 - Legislator Nancy Montgomery
District 2 – Legislator William J. Gouldman
District 3 – Legislator Toni E. Addonizio
District 4 – Legislator Laura Russo
District 5 – Legislator Greg Ellner
District 6 – Legislator Paul Jonke
District 7 – Legislator Dan Birmingham
District 8 – Legislator Amy Sayegh *Chairwoman (2025)
District 9 – Legislator Erin Crowley
[ DATE ]
To the Honorable _____________:
I am writing as a resident of Putnam County in [VILLAGE/TOWN] to urge you to move this year’s Agricultural District inclusion application period from April 1–30 to August 1–30.
Our farms are a vital part of this community—they provide fresh food, support small businesses, and help keep our county green and open. Instead of making it harder for them, we should be doing everything we can to help them succeed.
As it stands, the Putnam County Agricultural and Farmland Board has been unable to meet before the start of the new year’s application period to even discuss the process, leaving farmers trapped in an unfair and inconsistent system. The County’s failure to take action means that without this date change, another year will pass where farmers are denied access to a program that was specifically designed to support them. Farmers are being told they can still farm, but they just won’t get the support of the state program that was created to help them. That makes no sense. If a farm meets the basic New York State’s Agricultural District standards to operate, why does our County block them from a state program designed to support them?
Pushing the inclusion period to August is a necessary and immediate step that allows time to address the flawed system before another round of applications. This extension also provides an opportunity for the County to remove Resolution 139, which has only added more roadblocks instead of solutions. This unnecessary roadblock doesn’t just hurt farmers—it hurts all of us.
More farms mean more fresh, local food, greater food security, and stronger local businesses. , and a healthier environment. Small farms also play a key role in maintaining open space, protecting wetlands, and preserving local ecosystems. Unlike large commercial and even residential developments, farms help manage stormwater naturally, prevent soil erosion, and support local wildlife habitats. Encouraging small farms is one of the best ways to balance growth with environmental sustainability.
Putnam County’s farmers deserve a fair and functional process, not bureaucratic barriers that shut them out of state programs meant to support them. I strongly urge you to pass a resolution immediately to change the Agricultural District inclusion period to August 1–30 to ensure the system can be fixed before another application cycle is wasted.
Let’s make Putnam County a place that truly supports the new generation of men and women doing the hard work of providing us with healthy, local food, its farmers and protecting the land we all value. Please act now—time is running out. Thank you for your time and for standing up for our farms.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP]”