Board Overview
The Sullivan County Agriculture & Farmland Protection Board (AFPB) was established by the Sullivan County Legislature in accordance with Article 25AA §302 of NYS Agriculture and Markets Law. The purpose of the AFPB is to:
- Encourage farming and agricultural businesses in Sullivan County through local initiatives which create favorable conditions that allow farmers and related agri-business enterprises to operate economically viable enterprises;
- Advise the Sullivan County Legislature on establishing, modifying, continuing, or terminating agricultural districts;
- Review Notice of Intent filings pursuant to Agriculture and Markets Law 25AA §305.4 and §305-a;
- Advise and recommend concerning Purchase of Development Rights conservation easement applications to funding agencies; and
- Advise, Recommend, Develop, Maintain and Implement the Sullivan County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan.
The AFPB consists of eleven members, identified as either Regular or Ex-Officio, nominated by the AFPB and appointed by the Sullivan County Legislature; and includes at least: four active farmers, one agribusiness representative, one member of the County Legislature, a representative from the Sullivan County Soil & Water Conservation District, the Commissioner of the Sullivan County Division of Planning and Community Development, the Director of the County's Real Property Services Office, a Cornell Cooperative Extension Agriculture Educator; and may also include an agricultural land trust representative. Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County currently provides staff assistance to the AFPB for administrative matters.
Current Board Members
Farmer: John Gorzynski, Gorzynski Ornery Farm, Chairman (Term expires 12/31/26)
Farmer: Dan Brey, Breys Egg Farm (Term expires 12/31/24)
Farmer: Tanya Hahn, Hilly Acres Farm (Term expires 12/31/27)
Farmer: Erika Malmgreen, Winterton Farms (Term expires 12/31/27)
Farmer: Eugene Thalmann, Sprouting Dreams Farm (Term expires 12/31/26)
Agri-Business Representative: Dr Joe D’Abbraccio, Catskill Veterinary Services (Term expires 12/31/27)
Soil & Water Conservation District Representative: Willie Hughson (Ex-Officio)
Sullivan County Legislature Representative: Mathew McPhillips
Commissioner of Division of Planning & Community Development: Heather Brown
Director of Real Property Services: Chris Knapp (Ex-Officio)
CCE Sullivan Agriculture Educator: Michelle Proscia (Ex-Officio)
Meeting agendas and meeting minutes for the board can be viewed here.
Contact
All correspondence for the Sullivan County Agriculture & Farmland Protection Board (AFPB) should be directed to Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County, to the attention of Melinda Meddaugh, Ag & Food Systems Issue Leader, mm2592@cornell.edu or 845-292-6180 ext. 116.
