Putnam Farmers: ‘Let Us Be Heard’

By Holly Crocco

Putnam farmers filled the chambers of the Historic Courthouse in Carmel last week during the County Legislature’s formal monthly meeting, with the intention of supporting a motion to extend the application period into the county’s agricultural district, but found themselves instead reprimanding lawmakers for not even acknowledging the matter.

The Legislature previously established the application period as April 1 through 30, but Legislator Nancy Montgomery, D-Philipstown, proposed a resolution extending that time period to Aug. 1 to 30, in accordance with New York State Agriculture & Markets Law, to give applicants – mostly farmers – additional time to complete their applications.

The resolution had to be presented as “other business” since previous attempts by the lone Democrat on the nine-member governing body to get it on the agenda were unsuccessful.

However, after taking action on two other items in “other business” that were listed on the agenda, Chairwoman Amy Sayegh, R-Mahopac Falls, moved on to the next portion of the meeting, which was public comment.

Montgomery said she had another resolution to present in “other business,” to which she was told it was too late since the Legislature had already moved on to the next agenda item.

When asked to make a motion to return to the “other business” portion of the meeting, Montgomery was denied.

The action caused farmers in attendance to stand in frustration, with some shouting, “we matter,” “corruption,” “let us be heard,” and “what are you scared of?”

Montgomery gestured to the crowded room, telling her Republican colleagues, “These people are here for ‘other business,’ because you wouldn’t hear them over and over and over again.”

She then took to the podium as a taxpayer, using the public comment portion of the meeting to make her plea.

“I would like this Legislature to rescind the application period for the agricultural district applications, which started today, which you have the power to do,” she said. “You have the local control to do this… So you have an opportunity to get your act together, which you’ve had a year to do to fix this problem.

“My only opportunity to get things on the agenda is through ‘other business,’ which is why you saw two resolutions today – because you stonewalled me in committee with those. So you’re stonewalling me tonight by closing other business.”

The contention surrounding application to the county’s agricultural district runs deep. Since 2020, any application to the district has been denied by the Legislature – even despite recommendations by the county’s Agriculture & Farmland Protection Board that they be added.

Daniel Honovich, owner of Ridge Ranch in Patterson, is suing the county over its decision to reject his farm, and operations in other towns, to the district. Also denied placement last year in the district despite the agricultural board’s recommendations are Castle Rock in Garrison, Big Red Barn Farm in Putnam Valley, Kascade Enterprises in Carmel, and Lobster Hill Farm in Southeast, among other properties.

Established by the state in 1971, agricultural districts are intended to “conserve, protect and encourage the development and improvement” of farmland. The benefits to farmers include being exempt from “unreasonable” local laws that might restrict operations.

Despite the agricultural board’s support of these applicants, it did acknowledge that some failed to meet one or more of eight factors that the county determined in 2007 “shall be considered” for inclusion, including site and stormwater protections, soil analysis, and other factors designed to protect neighboring properties.

Municipalities seem to be under fire for setting “unreasonable” local restrictions while interpreting the state’s agricultural law. (See page 6 for related story.)

Joey Mancuso, owner of Big Red Barn Farm in Putnam Valley, was one of many farmers who expressed frustration at last week’s meeting over the Legislature refusing to hear their comments and concerns.

“We are your constituents,” he said. “We need your help and support. We don’t need animosity. We don’t need the politics. I’m embarrassed about this. We elected you as our officials and this is the response that we get. This is embarrassing.”

Equestrian Caitlin McKenna of Mahopac agreed, saying, “It’s unfair that everyone is shutting us down. It makes us emotional. It makes us very upset. It messes with everyone’s lives. And we should have the ability to speak without being shut down.”

Andrew Santee of A&A Farms said farms provide more than just local food.

“Your decisions are shutting down the farms providing therapeutic riding to kids, keeping kids off drugs,” he said. “In the farming community, suicide is so high because of you people and now allowing us to talk.”

Madelyn Sansone of Putnam Valley appeared baffled by the actions of lawmakers.

“I am thoroughly embarrassed of the absolute circus act that I witnessed tonight,” she said. “You are messing not only with our careers and our passions, you are messing with our livelihoods. This is ridiculous. Why? Why on God’s green earth do you want to limit farms?”

Chairwoman Sayegh countered that the Legislature wasn’t attacking farming.

“We haven’t said anything about farms tonight,” she said. “You’re speaking about something that’s not on the agenda… No one is denying farming in Putnam County.”

That garnered a shout from the audience: “If you never put it on the agenda, it’ll bever get there.”

Daniel Honovich said the farmers will continue to show up at legislative meetings to make their voices heard.

“Farms mean more than just farming, and we provide things every week, every month, from my personal farm for people with autism and all sorts of other disabilities and all sorts of ways of life, and by you guys just continuing to give us no voice, we’re not going to just go away,” he said.

The legislative attorney noted that since the application period had already started, April 1 – that very day – it could not be extended.

Further discussion on the matter came to a halt when the fire alarm in the courthouse rang out and the building had to be evacuated.