Agricultural Land Assessments or Soil Group Worksheets
Q - What is an Agricultural Assessment?
A - A local mechanism that provides reduced property tax bills for land in agricultural
production by reducing the assessment of such lands based on the soil’s agricultural assessment value.
Q - What Land is Considered “Agricultural Land”?
A - Land that is considered agricultural lands include: croplands, farm woodlands, pastures, orchards, vineyards, sugarbush, support lands, and crop acreage either set aside or retired under Federal supply management or soil conservation programs. This land must also have a minimum 2 yr. cropping history, be a minimum of 7 acres, and have an average gross sales value of $10,000 or more.
Q - Can Rented Land Qualify?
A - Yes! Land rented for agricultural purposes may receive an assessment if eligible.
Q – How do I know if I qualify?
A – Contact your town assessor to verify that your property qualifies for the program. (http://co.cayuga.ny.us/realproperty/Documents/ratechart.pdf) Eligibility is determined by the Town Assessor or Board of Assessors, not by the Soil & Water Conservation District.
Q – Does it have to be completed by a Soil and Water District?
A – It is required by law, that the Soil Group Worksheet must be completed by your local Soil and Water Conservation District.
Q - What is the cost?
A – Each Soil Group Worksheet costs $30. A separate Soil Group Worksheet must be done for each individual qualifying parcel. Soil Group Worksheets are completed by Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District staff.
Q – How do I apply?
A – Contact the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District to complete a Soil Group worksheet for your parcel(s.) You will fill out a questionnaire with District staff. From there the process usually takes 1-2 weeks. You will be contacted when the worksheet is completed. Once the worksheet is completed, you will need to take it to your town assessor. He or she will have additional forms that you will need to fill out to apply.
A - A local mechanism that provides reduced property tax bills for land in agricultural
production by reducing the assessment of such lands based on the soil’s agricultural assessment value.
Q - What Land is Considered “Agricultural Land”?
A - Land that is considered agricultural lands include: croplands, farm woodlands, pastures, orchards, vineyards, sugarbush, support lands, and crop acreage either set aside or retired under Federal supply management or soil conservation programs. This land must also have a minimum 2 yr. cropping history, be a minimum of 7 acres, and have an average gross sales value of $10,000 or more.
Q - Can Rented Land Qualify?
A - Yes! Land rented for agricultural purposes may receive an assessment if eligible.
Q – How do I know if I qualify?
A – Contact your town assessor to verify that your property qualifies for the program. (http://co.cayuga.ny.us/realproperty/Documents/ratechart.pdf) Eligibility is determined by the Town Assessor or Board of Assessors, not by the Soil & Water Conservation District.
Q – Does it have to be completed by a Soil and Water District?
A – It is required by law, that the Soil Group Worksheet must be completed by your local Soil and Water Conservation District.
Q - What is the cost?
A – Each Soil Group Worksheet costs $30. A separate Soil Group Worksheet must be done for each individual qualifying parcel. Soil Group Worksheets are completed by Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District staff.
Q – How do I apply?
A – Contact the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District to complete a Soil Group worksheet for your parcel(s.) You will fill out a questionnaire with District staff. From there the process usually takes 1-2 weeks. You will be contacted when the worksheet is completed. Once the worksheet is completed, you will need to take it to your town assessor. He or she will have additional forms that you will need to fill out to apply.