NYS Agricultural Assessment Program work will begin in January. Through this program, eligible landowners have the opportunity to reduce property tax bills for agricultural land. Landowners must submit an Agricultural Assessment Application to their town assessor by March 1^st.

GCSWCD will complete the first step in the application process by classifying all farmland that will be enrolled in the program by soil productivity. A soil map will be developed, along with the “Soil Group Worksheet,” which is used to define the acreage of each soil productivity group. To learn more about the Agricultural Assessment Program, visit the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance website: https://www.tax.ny.gov/research/property/assess/valuation/ag_overview.htm

Please provide the following information when requesting a Soil Group Worksheet and soil map from GCSWCD:

• Applicant Contact Information
  • Property Owner/Business Name (as it will appear on the application)
  • Mailing address (as it will appear on the application)
  • Phone Number and Email
• Contact Information for whoever requests the assessment (if different from property owner)
• Tax Parcel ID (ex. XXX.XX - X - XX)
• Tax Parcel Local Address
• Agricultural District Inclusion Status
• Recent Property Changes
  • Clearing of woods
  • Subdivisions
  • Change of ownership
• Rental Status
  • Is the property rented out or is it farmed by the property owner?

 In order to meet the March 1^st application deadline, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out as soon as possible.

Requests should be directed to Michelle McDonough by phone at (518) 622-3620 or by e-mail at michellem@gcswcd.com.