Proposed Hector law would help agricultural disputes

    HECTOR (April 10, 2012)—The town of Hector is working on a law concerning agriculture and to deal with any issues that arise dealing with farming.
    The town of Hector recognizes farming is an essential enterprise and an important industry, which enhances the economic base, protects the natural environment and quality of life, and demands minimal public services in the town of Hector. The town board says that it shall be the policy of the town of Hector to encourage agriculture and foster understanding by all residents of the necessary day-to-day operations involved in farming so as to encourage cooperation with those practices.
    The law will maintain and preserve the rural traditions and character of the town of Hector, to permit the continuation of agricultural practices, to protect the existence and operation of farms, to encourage the initiation and expansion of farms and agri-businesses, and to promote new ways to resolve disputes concerning agricultural practices and farm operations. In order to maintain a viable farming economy in Schuyler County, it is necessary to limit the circumstances under which farming may be deemed to be nuisance and to allow agricultural practices inherent to and necessary for the business of farming to proceed and be undertaken free of unreasonable and unwarranted interference or restriction.
    The law includes ways to handle disputes. If a dispute arises regarding any agricultural operation which cannot be settled by direct negotiation, then the matter can be submitted to the Schuyler County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board. The agency will then mediate prior to and as an alternative to court action. The effectiveness of the mediation program offered by the Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board is dependent upon direct, full, frank conversations and presentation of all pertinent facts concerning the dispute. The parties are encouraged in the exchange of information concerning the controversy, and each party shall have an opportunity to present what each considers the pertinent facts. The resolution of disputes is dependent upon full discussion and complete presentation of all pertinent facts concerning the dispute in order to eliminate any misunderstandings.
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