Each April, Sullivan County opens a brief but meaningful window for landowners who wish to include their property in one of the county’s Agricultural Districts. It’s a crucial time for local farmers, as joining a district can bring tax relief and protections designed to preserve farmland and support agriculture. With over 160,000 acres already enrolled, the county's farmland protection efforts continue to grow.

To better understand what these districts are and why they matter, Radio Catskill’s Jason Dole and Rosie Starr sat down with Melinda Meddaugh, Agriculture & Food Systems Senior Issue Leader at Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County, who helps guide residents through this process every year.