§ 324. County agricultural and farmland protection plans. 1. County agricultural and farmland protection boards may develop plans, in cooperation with the local soil and water conservation district and soil conservation service, which shall include, but not be limited to:

(a) the location of any land or areas proposed to be protected;

(b) an analysis of the following factors concerning any areas and lands proposed to be protected:

(i) value to the agricultural economy of the county;

(ii) open space value;

(iii) consequences of possible conversion; and

(iv) level of conversion pressure on the lands or areas proposed to be protected; and

(c) a description of the activities, programs and strategies, including efforts to support the successful transfer of agricultural land from existing owners to new owners and operators, especially new and beginning farmers, intended to be used by the county to promote continued agricultural use, which may include but not be limited to revisions to the county's comprehensive plan pursuant to § 239-i of the general municipal law.

2. The county agricultural and farmland protection board shall conduct at least one public hearing for public input regarding such agricultural and farmland protection plan, and shall thereafter submit such plan to the county legislative body for its approval.

3. The county agricultural protection plan must be submitted by the county to the commissioner for approval.