Commercial development is increasing throughout the North Country, frustrating many farm owners.

“I don’t like it…they move to the country and want the city amenities,” said John Sakowich, a local farmer.

However New York State is hoping to stem the loss of land to development with a new program.

According to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Farmland website, farmland protection is a division that has grants for local municipalities to create implementation activities to protect viable farmland.

There are also grants to help cover the costs of developing farmland protection plans.

However, what farmers are most interested in is the New York State Environmental Conservation Law “that allows for the creation or conveyance of a conservation easement on real property.”

A landowner permanently restricts future development to preserve its current state.

Read more about the state’s farmland protection program here.

The program is designed to protect certain New York farmlands and get farmland owners payments from the state.

The state will choose farmers based on the condition of the farm, how close it is to resources (like wildlife preserves) and interest from developers.

However, representatives from the American Farmland Trust are warning farmers that if they sign up for the program, it is permanent.

“The decisions they make in the next two or three years are going to influence not only their farming operation and land use, but also their future generations,” said Judy Wright, a representative of the American Farmland Trust.

Despite the finality of the choice, there are some farmers that think it is the right choice for them.

The amount of money a farmer can receive from the state varies on market appraisals and the program is limited.

Farmers are encouraged to apply over again if they are not accepted the first time.