By the adoption of this chapter, the Town Board of the Town of Cochecton declares its intent to maintain the desirable rural character of the Town of Cochecton; to permit the continuation of the business of farming as it is now carried out throughout the Town of Cochecton, including, without limitation, according to the Agricultural Conservation District or Rural Development District as defined in Chapter
240, Zoning; and to retain the existence of farms within the Town in view of the substantial contribution to the tax base now provided by said farms and farm properties. The Town Board of the Town of Cochecton further recognizes that there exist certain farming practices which must be permitted to be carried on to the furtherance of the business of farming and which can be carried on within the Town of Cochecton without interfering with the use and enjoyment of land not now devoted to the business of farming.
As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
AGRICULTURE
The raising of plants, livestock, poultry, fish, and other
animals for food, food products, leather, wool, furs, and hides, ornamental
horticultural fiber, breeding and horses for sport recreational use,
and the producing of food upon the farm or elsewhere by the tillage
of the soil, or other agricultural, horticultural or dairying processes.
FARMER
Any person, organization, entity, association, partnership
or corporation engaged in the business of agriculture, whether for
profit or otherwise, including the cultivation of land, the raising
of crops, or the raising of livestock.
FARMING PRACTICES
An activity, now permitted by law, engaged in by a farmer,
as defined herein, in connection with and in furtherance of the business
of farming and shall include without limitation the collection, transportation,
distribution and storage of animal wastes; storage, transportation
and use of equipment for tillage, planting and harvesting; transportation,
storage and use of legally permitted fertilizers and lime pesticides,
all in accordance with local, state, and federal law and regulation
and in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and warnings;
construction of farm structures and facilities as permitted by local
and state building codes and regulations, including construction and
maintenance of fences.
It is resolved by the Town Board of the Town of Cochecton that
farmers as defined herein may lawfully engage in farming practices
as defined herein within the Town of Cochecton at such times, including
the nighttime hours, as are necessary to conduct the business of farming,
and that no person, entity, association, partnership or corporation
shall engage in any act to prevent or deter such conduct as is approved
herein.