Presently eight of the land trust's protected properties are actively farmed. These include a working dairy farm, a horse breeding farm, a sheep and goat farm, and land utilized for crops, hay and grazing.
The land trust utilizes conservation easements specifically tailored to agricultural activities for farms. These agreements focus on the value and productivity of the soils and other characteristics of the farm. The easements provide for continued use of the property for agriculture and other customary rural enterprises; allow construction, repair, and rebuilding of farm buildings; and construction and repair of fences and walls, among other provisions.
Maintaining Schoharie County's agricultural heritage is a large part of the land trust's existence. Agrucultural easments, and the associated tax benefits can help keep land in active production for generations.
To see a sample agricultural easement, click here.
