The new membership of the boards is part of a new vision of the boards and their role in public policies for farmland. As voting members of county Agriculture and Farmland Protection Boards, Extension Educators now have an opportunity to capitalize upon the new appreciation of the intertwined interests of agriculture and the broader community. With that new appreciation comes new and extensive roles for the boards. In addition to the responsibility of the old Agricultural Districts Boards to review the creation and renewal of Agricultural Districts, the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Boards may comment on proposals to fund capital projects in districts and prepare county agricultural and farmland protection plans. They may also request the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets to review state agency rules and regulations and may review and comment on proposed county and local comprehensive plans.
Boards are eligible for grants to fund the preparation of a county farmland protection plan.
Given the breadth and diversity of AFPB's activities, orienting new board members is critical. The Agricultural and Farmland Protection Action Kit does an outstanding job in this task. In addition, the Kit is a critical resource for fulfilling the Board's work with the broader community. Each of the county agricultural and farmland plans developed to date has identified education and outreach as critical. Because the AFPB's are organized on a countywide basis, they can serve as a liaison to town and planning boards and educate non-farmers about the benefits of farming and farmland.