Located in the western portion of New York near the cities of Rochester
and Buffalo, Wyoming County’s rich fertile soils along the Genesee River Valley have
provided the basis for the evolution of productive farms through much of it’s
history. The County’s location in proximity to two large urban centers has prompted
substantial suburban growth in recent years to prompt concerns by residents concerning the
impact such development may have on the County.
In 1999, Redman/Johnston Associates,
Ltd. (now Peter Johnston & Associates, LLC) teamed with
Thomas Point Associates
and the local government of Wyoming County to prepare recommendations for managing growth
and protecting agricultural land and rural character within the County. During a series of
consultant sponsored public workshops as part of the "Target Tomorrow" planning
process conducted in Wyoming County in March of 2000, local citizens were asked what makes
a "world-class community." The majority of responses to this question were
couched in terms that note the importance of the agricultural industry as a component of
County character and qualities. Attendees noted that "World class communities"
were mostly rural farm communities. When asked what makes Wyoming County a
"world-class community," local citizens cited agriculture, environmental
resources, and natural beauty; each attributes of the County’s rural character that
exist as a result of it’s agricultural economy.
The comments of residents underscored
the importance of protecting the County’s rural character and opportunities for
growth in the agricultural industry. RJA, working with the consultant team and the County
government, provided a baseline profile of the current status of the agricultural industry
in the County and assessed the impact current and future development trends may have on
farming and the agricultural industry. The report also identified strategies for managing
future growth to protect County farmlands and provided recommendations concerning measures
that might be taken to implement those strategies.
