CHENANGO COUNTY – The Chenango County Planning Department is looking to review one of the county’s six agriculture districts vital in helping to protect area farmers and their operations.

Agriculture district number 2a, located in the northwestern portions of the county encompassing the towns of Linklean, Otselic, Pitcher, Pharsalia, German and McDonough, is likely to be reviewed following a public hearing set to take place in September, say county planning officials. Per New York State Agriculture and Market law, the public hearing must occur between 120 and 180 days prior to the anniversary date of an agriculture district before said district can be terminated, modified or renewed.

“The law requires that the (Chenango County) Ag and Farmland Protection Board review every ag district every eight years,” said county planner Shane Butler. The main purpose, he explained, is to protect farmers from nearby homeowners who might have complaints related to farm operations such as smells, sounds and manure on the roads.

“If you're buying a piece of property in Chenango County, the realtor has to tell you if you're within an agricultural district,” said Butler. “So basically, you have to realize that you're in a farming community and you can expect the smells or the road conditions. This way, people can’t go back to the farmer and complain because they knowingly bought a home in an ag district.”