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Town of Victory Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan 2018 – 2019 Steering Committee Summary Time Commitment 1. The steering committee will meet approximately 13 times over 16 months, typically once per month. 2. The purpose of the steering committee is to advise and provide guidance as the plan is developed. 3. Members will be asked to help notify their neighbors of opportunities to participate in this process, such as the public meetings and focus groups. 4. The Cayuga County Planning & Economic Development Department may reach out to committee members occasionally via email, phone, or letter to get specific feedback or guidance in a member’s area of expertise. What does a Farmland Protection Plan do? Identifies opportunities to expand agricultural businesses, encourage agricultural entrepreneurs, and strengthen the local economy. Establishes the foundation for a purchase of development rights (PDR) program to permanently preserve farms. Reviews local regulatory controls to determine how they might aid in maintaining agriculture. Enables protection of prime soils by establishing an inventory of the Town’s agricultural resources and soil characteristics. Provides technical assistance to address farmers’ nutrient, resource, and farm management challenges. Establishes a process for dealing with farmer-neighbor conflicts so that nuisance disputes can be resolved quickly and locally. Increases awareness and appreciation for agriculture throughout the community.