MONTICELLO – The towns of Bethel, Liberty, Callicoon and Delaware are seeking public comment on their recently drafted Farmland Protection Plans. Town residents are invited to join in discussions of the plans at two upcoming public information sessions.

Bethel and Liberty will hold their session on Tuesday, November 17 at the Liberty Middle School Cafeteria at 7:30 p.m. Callicoon and Delaware will hold their session on Thursday, November 19 at the Town of Callicoon Town Hall at 7 p.m.

The plans are currently in draft form, and members of the public, especially farmers and agri-businesses, are urged to give their input before the plans are finalized and adopted by the town boards.

The farmland protection planning committees have been working for over a year to develop these plans with the help of several state and local agencies and other organizations.

At each session, Nan Stolzenburg, a consultant with Community Planning and Environmental Associates, will give a brief presentation on the plans, which advocate for a variety of economic, educational, governmental, regulatory, and other actions that the towns can take to protect farms and farmland, and promote agriculture as a critical part of local life.

Following this presentation, there will an opportunity for residents to offer their thoughts on the plans.

The project is made possible through a grant from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.