Spring 2019 Newsletter

Agricultural Stewardship Association

Spring 2019 Good Neighbors Page 3

A Plan to Retire Page 5

Spring Brings Change Page 8

Forever Farmland Campaign: 83% Page 9

The Wagner Family: Virginia, Marlene, Pete, Keith, Louise & Robert with 13-year-old Holstein Eleanor, Chair of the Welcoming Committee

Story on Page 3

agstewardship.org

Good Fences Farms Make Good Neighbors

Land Protection Team Batting A Thousand

8 for 8 with New York State Conservation Grants

In

late August 2018, ASA staff submitted eight applications to the state’s Farmland Protection Implementation Grant program to buy the development rights on eight local farms. Just days before the end of 2018, Governor Cuomo announced $35 million had been awarded to 40 farms across 19 counties to protect 13,000 acres of agricultural land in the state.

Eight of those grants (totaling 2,811 of those acres and $4.5 million of those dollars) were awarded to ASA to keep these eight farms forever farmland.

Funding for this program is provided through New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund (“EPF”) which was created by the state legislature in 1993. The EPF is financed primarily through real estate transfer taxes. These funds are kept separate from other state monies and are dedicated to protecting the state’s natural resources and habitats—the places that make New York special. ASA is thrilled to receive this funding for the benefit of these eight farm families.

7 for 7 with Dairy Transition Grants!

Recognizing the struggle that dairy farmers are facing with prolonged low milk prices and that New York’s dairy farms represent the largest sector of our agricultural industry, $30 million additional dollars were PG2

Forever Farmland Spring 2019

made available by New York State for a new “Dairy Transitions” grant program. This funding enables dairy farmers to protect their land and use the money they receive for selling their development rights to diversify operations or to transition operations to the next generation, while ensuring the land remains in agricultural use.

ASA has applied for, and been awarded, seven of these grants so far. These funds will enable ASA to protect another 2,028 acres and provide over $3.6 million to these farm families to secure their future. There has been an overwhelming interest in this new program from our local farmers.

J

ust a 20-minute drive from downtown Troy, in the suburbs of Poestenkill and Brunswick, is Wagner Farms, a 3rd generation family dairy farm. The farm was purchased in 1953 by Bob and Louise Wagner. Louise is still part of the daily activities, but today, sons Pete and Bobby and grandson Keith manage the day-to-day operations.

Farming in the suburbs isn’t easy. “The best use of this land is for agriculture. Our community feels the same way,” Pete says. “Our neighbors moved here because it was country living near the city. They love to see the cows out on pasture and appreciate the benefits our land provides.” Some of those more obvious benefits include open space, privacy, plentiful parking and peace and quiet that can be hard to find in the rapidly developing Capital District.

Fortunately for the almost one hundred families who live on the same two-mile stretch of road as the Wagner Farm, this family business goes the extra mile to be a good neighbor. The Wagners host community events, tours for school groups, have an active social media presence and spend time cleaning the roads. Recently, they were featured on WMHT’s Digital Field Trip series. The welcoming committee is chaired by Eleanor, a retired 13-year-old Holstein, famous to all who stop by. If

she could speak, she would certainly invite you in for a glass of warm milk and some cookies.

Wagner Farms is the smallest dairy farm in New York State to build and maintain an anaerobic digester, which breaks down manure and utilizes the methane to generate electricity to power the farm and supply the grid. Neighbors appreciate the digester. The digester reduces odors associated with stored manure, and the manure that is spread doesn’t emit the odors some find offensive.

“Conserving the farm is our opportunity to give back to the community,” Keith says. “Our neighbors are really cooperative with us and we want to continue to be good stewards of the land.” It’s clear that the Wagners have mastered the art of being good neighbors.

“Each year I feel moved as I stand out back looking at the flats as they are turned over. It would be a shame for them to be developed. It’s the best land we own and it’s the best land in the county. I feel privileged to have been the care taker of this farm and that land, and we are honored to have conserved it.”

— Louise Wagner

Accreditation Renewal is a Grand Slam The Land Trust Accreditation program was created by the Land Trust Alliance to build and recognize strong land trusts, foster public support and help ensure the permanence of land conservation. ASA first became an accredited land trust in 2013 and was awarded a renewal in early 2019.

“Renewing our accreditation is more than compliance and paperwork; it shows ASA’s ongoing commitment to the communities we serve that we are here for the long haul,” says Renee Bouplon, ASA Associate Director.

Accreditation is awarded for a five-year term. Renewal confirms that ASA is following best practices and continues to uphold the highest standards.

Funding for this project was provided by New York State Environmental Protection Fund administered by the Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Forever Farmland

Spring 2019

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A Farming Legend is Ready to Retire

A Cause Near and Dear

Donating a Conservation Easement We found a curious thing in the office some time ago—a note, dated 2004. “Saturday night was ter15 Years in rific… I look forward to working with you on a cause the Making that is near and dear to my heart.” It was signed The Roome “Kathy Roome”. Paperclipped to it was another note: “Kathy has some land she is interested in protecting.”

Family No other information was included.

Kathy, who grew up in Westchester County when there were still a few farms around, has seen firsthand how development can change a community forever. When they were planning a move north, Kathy said to her husband Hugh, let’s drive as far as it takes to make sure we will always be close to farm country. They bought a house in Washington County in 1986 and moved up full time from New York City in 2000 to raise their children, Ren and Annie.

On December 19, 2018, Kathy and her husband Hugh finally got around to protecting that land by donating an easement on 275 acres in Jackson. Their generous donation covered all the transaction costs and included a donation to the Stewardship Fund. This newly protected land is currently being leased to a local dairy farmer who uses it as support land.

“We can do our part right here, protecting this land. We believe in ASA and that’s why we are such strong supporters of this work.”

— Glen Rowse

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Forever Farmland Spring 2019

It

Hugh & Kathy Roome

“In a world that is rapidly losing its rural landscapes, food producing soils, and small-town communities, we wanted to do our bit to preserve this unique and beautiful region between the Hudson River and Taconic Mountains.”

— Katherine Roome

Glen Rowse bought the 173-acre property Doing our part at Manx Station on County Route 60 in in 1989. “I The Rowse Cambridge really like an agriculFamily tural environment and you could just see the creeping growth where we lived in Renssealer county. This area is so nice. We moved here because this is where we wanted to raise our family,” Glen says.

Today, Glen raises grass-fed beef (with a herd of 45 belted Galloway cattle), Bashkir Curly horses and Manx cats. While the horses and cats are for personal enjoyment, the beef is sold directly to a restaurant in New York City and through the Lewis Waite CSA. The farm also has a small meat goat herd.

The farm name, Manx Station, comes from the cats. They are a big part of the Rowse family’s lives and the farm. Glen not only donated the easement on his farm, but also pledged to cover the stewardship costs. The transaction fees of the project were covered

by ASA’s Forever Farmland Fund.

can take a while to conserve a farm so that it can never be developed. Typically, a couple of years.

So Dave Schmidt’s farm may take the cake for taking the longest. Dave decided to conserve his farm on the edge of the Tomhannock Reservoir 16 years ago after he watched some of the best farmland around Pittstown and Schaghticoke being bought up by developers and covered with houses.

The problem was, that while Dave’s land was good, it was the bigger dairy farms that were getting state funding to be conserved in 2003. Dave worked with various conservation groups for years before the scarcity of drinking water began making headlines. That’s when people began paying more attention to their reservoirs, and just as important, the land surrounding their reservoirs. So, Dave asked ASA to help him conserve his farm and finally the stars aligned.

Last year, ASA received a grant to purchase Dave’s development rights.

Dave will use the money he received to fund a well-deserved retirement.

You can see Dave’s farm, which has been in agriculture for hundreds of years, if you look south as you drive along the northern edge of the Reservoir. Dave’s parents bought the farm in 1931 after Dave’s father lost his job at a Troy steel mill. Dave’s parents never milked more than 40 cows and made a living doing it until the dairy herd was sold in 1973 and replaced by beef cows. Today, about 55 Black Angus grass fed cows are raised each year on the 217-acre farm.

Dave’s two brothers moved away but Dave stayed on the farm to work with his father, a progressive and innovative farmer. Dave never married. (“I made other mistakes, but not that one,” according to Dave.)

When Dave was a kid, there were eight dairy farms on Valley Falls Road alone, back when farmers could make a living milking just half a dozen cows.

The farmers put out a half can of milk by the road to be picked up each morning, and another half can at night. But after World War II, when the milk subsidies went away, those small farms disappeared under rows of houses.

Funding for this project was provided by New York State Environmental Protection Fund administered by the Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Dave Schmidt

Mike Ratigan, who grew up across the road, has been working on Dave’s farm for years. Mike will be able to buy Dave’s farm at an affordable price now that the land can never be developed.

A very satisfactory result for all concerned, including those of us who will be able to see that beautiful farm from across the Tomhannock Reservoir for generations to come.

Forever Farmland

Spring 2019

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August 17th

Welcome New Board Members

Singer-songwriter Sean Rowe performance to benefit ASA 7 pm, Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs Tickets $25

Have Fun on the Farm

Alternative folk singer Sean Rowe often speaks about his connection to the land.

Join us for an evening with this brilliantly talented artist. A native of Rensselaer county, the baritone’s powerful voice is described as folksy with edgy character. Putnam Place and Sean Rowe are proud to support ASA’s farmland conservation work through this performance. Tickets go on sale July 1.

July 15th–18th

July 20th

Sign up through the Greenwich Youth Center and Salem Courthouse Community Center

4 to 8 pm Hand Melon Farm, Greenwich Tickets $75 per person $600 for a table of 8 Tickets on sale beginning June 7

Learn how to take great photos of your favorite farm animals and landscapes! Farm Photography for Kids gives children (ages eight and up) a unique opportunity to visit some of our region’s most interesting farms, explore what goes on and learn how to take fantastic photos. Professional photographer Cliff Oliver will teach the participants the fundamentals of photographic composition and lighting, while sharing his expert insights and techniques for getting that perfect shot.

This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralized Program, a re-grant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, administered by LARAC.

Forever Farmland Supper

Join us while we honor those families who have made a gift to our community by conserving their land at this unique farm-to-table dinner.

Featuring a menu of foods sourced from local farms at the height of the growing season, this event promises to be a sumptuous celebration of the bounty our farmers provide. The Forever Farmland Supper will be catered by Chef’s Consortium, a group of dynamic chefs dedicated to sharing the joys of local foods. The evening will also feature a live auction for some exciting one-of-a-kind experiences.

Sponsorship Opportunities for Your Business

Business sponsorships and grants make these incredible programs possible.

For more information about sponsorship benefits, contact Katie Jilek at (518) 692-7285 or at katie@agstewardship.org or by visiting www.agstewardship.org.

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Forever Farmland Spring 2019

October to December Hunters Helping the Hungry

ASA offers a variety of programs and events to give you and your family an opportunity to visit local farms and learn more about our rich agricultural heritage. We organize farm tours, bike rides, nature walks and educational workshops throughout the year.

Be sure to sign up for our e-news at www.agstewardship.org and “like” us on Facebook to get all the latest details.

Farm Photography for Kids

Meet Sarah, Dave, Diane and Lauren

Contact Kara Scieszka 518-692-7285 kara@agstewardship.org

October 12th–14th

18th Annual Landscapes for Landsake Art Sale & Exhibition Opening reception: October 12, noon to 5 pm $10 admission Gallery hours: October 13 & 14, noon to 4 pm Free admission ASA’s Landscapes for Landsake Art Sale & Exhibition is the region’s premier event of the Fall season and our biggest fundraiser of the year. The show features artwork from more than 50 local artists inspired by the beauty of our area’s working landscapes.

Fifty percent of the proceeds benefit ASA’s Farmland Conservation Program.

ASA is now arranging venison donations as part of our on-going gleaning program.

If you have nuisance tags and/or extra venison and are interested in learning more about donating it to people in need, please contact Kara Scieska, Community Coordinator.

In 2018, more than 120 pounds of venison were donated to ASA through this program, providing more than 500 meals for families in the Capital District during the holiday season.

August 1st

Game of Logging Registration Opens 10/19: Level 1 10/19: Level 2 10/26: Level 3 10/27: Level 4 To learn about scholarships, contact Janet Britt 518-692-7285 janet@agstewardship.org Game of Logging is a world-recognized chain saw safety training curriculum.

The “game” refers not only to the friendly competitive aspect of the training, but also to the necessity of having a winning plan or strategy for felling trees and working safely. This hands-on training will teach participants better work habits and greater confidence in their ability to safely fell trees and work in the woods.

Forever Farmland

Spring 2019

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Monthly Giving Spotlight

Monica Dore

Monica Dore might be new to monthly giving, but she is far from new to ASA. In 2016 Monica spent her summer as ASA’s program intern. She graduated a year later from SUNY Oneonta with a bachelors degree in conservation biology and ecology.

Monica’s connection to ASA goes deeper than her internship. She was about 9 years old when her grandpa Mosher passed, but he took advantage of their short time together to impart the values of the farm to her. Today, Dave and Margaret Horn own the Mosher Farm.

When they purchased the farm along with

Forever Farmland Campaign Update In 2015, ASA launched the Forever Farmland Campaign, to raise $1.9 million in private funding by the end of 2020 to protect 8,400 additional acres of farmland. To date, we have raised $1.5 million through donations and pledges. This campaign raises special funds that directly pay for land protection project costs not typically covered by state and federal grants. These funds enable ASA to protect farmland at a faster pace than ever before.

$333,209 to go!

their partners in 1993, they promised the Moshers that they would not subdivide the land. Two years later, they fulfilled that promise by donating the development rights to ASA. Naturally, in the summer of 2016 when it came time for the annual stewardship visit to the property, ASA’s easement steward, Janet Britt invited Monica along for the walk.

Monica says, “I hope one day I am in a position where I can write a check that accurately reflects how grateful I am to ASA for the work you’ve done for our community. For now, I am thankful to be able to give what I can. It makes me so happy every month when I get a notification that my donation has been received.

It would mean a lot to my grandfather, and it means a lot to me that the farm is here forever.” Currently, Monica resides in Greenwich and is the Conservation Project Manager at the Lake George Land Conservancy.

To learn more, contact Donna DoddThomas, Development Manager, at 518692-7285 or donna@agstewardship.org.

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Forever Farmland Spring 2019

$1.9 Million GOAL

SPRING 2019

Spring Brings Change

A

rthur Kraamwinkel and Melanie Seserman chose the name Hepatica for the 100-acre farm they purchased this winter in Greenwich for several reasons.

First, it is the name of a main character in the children’s book “House Above the Trees” by Ethel Cook Elliot in which the author explores the idea that nature is more than meets the eye.

Arthur and Melanie plan to create a diversified, biodynamic farm with poultry, pork, lamb, vegetables and dairy.

They will sell their products directly to consumers. Arthur says “the biodynamic approach to farming begins with the notion that nature is a living organism that requires the cultivation of our sensitivity in order to understand its finer, less noticeable processes.”

Hepatica nobilis is also the name of an early spring flower. Arthur and Melanie hope that biodynamic farming will blossom and become more widespread, just as Hepatica nobilis starts out small and tender, but promises a summer abundant with activity and life.

Farming has been a lifelong dream for both Arthur and Melanie. Arthur has been involved in agriculture since he was a small child in the Netherlands where he helped on his grandfather’s vegetable farm. Melanie was born in a farming family in the Midwest and spent many of her vacations on the farm as a child.

She later worked as a gardener and trained in biodynamics. Equity Trust (a Massachusetts nonprofit) worked closely with ASA to find the right farmer and figure out the strategy for protecting this farm.

Funding for this project was provided by Equity Trust and ASA’s Forever Farmland Campaign. Visit www.equitytrust.org to learn more.

Equity Trust’s Hudson Valley Farm Affordability Program paid for the purchase of the conservation easement that includes an affordability restriction on the property, ensuring that in the future, the property can only transfer to working farmers. Iroquois Valley Farmland REIT provided a loan to finance the purchase of the farm.

“Conserving the land assures us that the farm will be farmland forever and that it will remain unaffected by sprawl. That is extremely important to us. The conservation easement also has made the purchase of the farm affordable, something we are extremely grateful for.”

– Arthur Kraamwinkel

$1.5 MILLION

Forever Farmland

Spring 2019

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You are a Part of History!

The impact highlighted in this newsletter is all because of you!

We are grateful to each of the following supporters for their generous contributions from November 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019.

Thank you for investing in the future of food and farming in our region.

Grants

Robert Yarnell

Anonymous (2) American Farmland Trust Charles R. Wood Foundation Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation, Inc. Fitzgerald Family Foundation Land Trust Alliance New York State Department of Agricultural & Markets Nordlys Foundation, Inc. Robert H. Wentorf Foundation, Inc. TASK Foundation The Community/Land Preservation & Planning Fund* The Review Foundation

Stewards

Harvest Hero Anonymous Albert H. Garner & Annie Paulsen Nancy & John LaPann Rensselaer County Katherine & Hugh Roome

Champion Anonymous (1) Earthshare

Cream of the Crop Anonymous (1) Allenwaite Farm, George Allen Patty & Tim Burch Carmody Ford, Inc. Fingerpaint GA Financial Company Gordon Foundation Diane Kennedy Jeannine Laverty Josh Levy & Pam Magnuson Mapleland Farms– The Campbell Families Maryann McGeorge & Susan Sanderson Margaret Meath Lois & Don Porter Teri Ptacek Elliott Rebhun Stewart’s Shops United Way of the Greater Capital Region

Benefactor Anonymous (2) Sharon Bedford & Fred Alm Linda & Douglas Bischoff Blue Flame Gas Co. Inc Gerald R. Carruthers Amy Davis & William Ambrose KC Consulting, Erich Kranz & Martha Culliton Ruth Leys Meika Loe & Matthew Alinger Longlesson Farm, Melanie & Bob Mason Mary MacKrell & Jim Nolan Helen Otte William Ralston & Joan Bleikamp Ingrid & Peter Schaaphok Barbara Simoneau & Joe Caron Peter & Christine Simoneau Rebecca Sparks Joanne & Dan Tilley, Tilldale Farm Kay & Jim Tomasi Anne Van Ingen & Wes Haynes Kenneth Vittor & Judith Aisen

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Anonymous (3) Barbara J. Ahern & W. Conard Holton Norm Allen Elyse Arnow Brill & Joshua Arnow Gordon Chaplin Gina & Stephan Deibel Sally M. Dodge & Dale R. Guldbrandsen Bertram Freed & Caroline Eastman Rudy & Bruce Goff Sophia Healy King Wealth Management Group, LLC Judy & Jeffrey Leon Doris & Mitch Levinn Ronald McLean Annie Miller & Don Minkel Moses Vegetable Farm, LLC Elizabeth & William Niemi Dari & Richard Norman Peg Olsen Cynthia & Jack Parillo William Penny Perry’s Orchard, Anita & Jim Perry Collen Quinn & Jim Rodewald Barney Rubenstein, MD & Sandra Scroggins Judith & Michael Russert Sarah McNamara Irene Schultz Town of Pittstown Annette Van Rooy & Jippe Hiemstra Washington County Farm Bureau Mary Ellen Williams Anne & Ethan Winter

Sustaining Anonymous Randall Adams Carolyn & Bob Akland Sandra Allen & Stephen Smoller Nancy Ames Andrew Pate Design Paul & Sandra Andrew Beers & Elizabeth Meer June Besek & Bill Farley Jenness Bivona Black Creek Valley Farms, Donald & Tracy McEachron Pauline Boehm Tracey Hitchen Boyd & Don Boyd Fern Bradley & Tom Cole Kathy & John Braico Brian Holbritter, PLS Janet Britt & John Dojka, Jr. Cambridge Pacific, Chris Belnap Cambridge Pan-Celtic Session CaroVail Lisa Chang & William Buzbee Davis Cherington Rebecca Christner & Carter White Ralph Lee & Casey Compton John & Sue Corey Harold Craig Ken & Annie Cummins Gloria Dawley Luke Deikis & Cara Fraver John Dempsey David & Eleanor deVries Monica Dore Rodney W. Dow Nancy Downing

Forever Farmland Spring 2019

Jacquie & Jon Farbman Marta Foster Ward Fra-Mar Farms, Carl Cipperly Joann & William Frazier Lisa Frazzetta Camille & Jerry Freedner Connie & John Gilbert Kerry Giles Rae & Robert Gilson Good Fence Farm, Katie DeGroot & Jon Harris Rulyn & Tom Graves Jamie Greenberg & Mary Anne Chiariello Dottie Halligan David Higby & Nancy Hand Higby Judy & Noel Hanf Ina Harney Henderson Farms, Joni & Alan Henderson Kathleen & Allan Hoerup Betsy Humes Sandra Hutton Karen Kellogg & Mark Youndt Maureen Kennedy Betty Ketcham Koval Bros. Dairy, Christopher Koval Margaret & Lars Kulleseid Carla LaGrassa Carolyn R. Lansberry Susan Las Linda LeClair Patricia Lockwood Long Days Farm, Deborah Jaffe & Edwin Schiele Carol & Joe MacDonald Alice Mairs Kevin McCarthy Barbara & John McDonald Diane & Mike Morency Jill Nadolski North Country Financial Group Edwin L. Osterhout Owl Wood Farm, Mark Bascom & Lindsay Fisk Tim Pierce Pleasant Valley Farm, Sandra & Paul Arnold Penelope Poor Sally Proudfit Mara Ptacek Mr. Wm. & Dr. Kim Ruhl Gretchen & James Ruhl Anne Sanderson Anne Savage & Michael Myers Jim & Karen Sheldon, Woody Hill Farm Denise Shirley Laura & Don Shore Susan & Steven Smith Timothy Smith Louise & J. B. Sobing Karyn & Michael Sobing Hank Stebbins Hannah M. Stevens Gary Stine & Nina Lockwood Carole & Richard Sweeton The Chronicle William Throop, III Erin Tobin & Roger Bearden Toolite Farms, LLC, Dick Tooley & Jason Tooley Brian Trombley & Kristal VanDyke Molly Turlish Lyn Vanden-Handel Lawrence Vedder Diana & John Waite

Thomas Wallace & Delia Marshall Stephen Webb Caroline Welling & David McGuire Rey Wells & Sheila Wahl Ann & Tim Whalen Marge & Don Wilbur Andy Wiley & Lesley Bott Tauno Wirkki Meg & Rob Woolmington Laura Yaun & Michael DeNardis Sharon & Lewis Zankel

Supporting Anonymous (4) Caroline Ashton Catherine Atherden Judy Austin Rancourt Nancy & Bob Battis Rob Bauer & Peter Subers Ronnie Benware Bill Briggs Jamie Brown Devin Bulger C. T. Male Associates, PC Community Consultants Rand & Freya Condell Corner Post Land Surveying Tim & Karen Costello Lydia Davis & Alan Cote Denison Farm, Justine & Brian Denison Judy DeWitt Wendy Duvall Ronald Edsforth & Jo Devine Marti Ellermann Cathy Firman Lucy & Mike Fraser Babette & John Furman Susan Gibbons & Christopher Shumway Jennifer Hamilton Cheryl & Mark Hoffman Ann Holbrook John Johanson Susan Kenyon Sandra Kingsbury Bonnie Lamb Janet Lampman & Keith Snow Evan Lawrence Lori Lawrence Martha & David Layton Tim LeBarron Susan Lohnes Sharon & Michael Lozman Barbara & Bill McGovern Relihan Farm, Edward M. Meagher Joanna Migdal Adele & John Miller The Monks of New Skete Ellen & George Mulvaney Cathy & Dick Ogden David Owen & Barbara Freund Patricia & John Paduano Phillip & Janet Pasco Judy & Paul Pontiff Maralee J. Rice Jill & Tim Robinson Mary Ellen & William Robinson Paula J. Sawyer Dottie Schneider Schoolhouse Boatworks, Carol & Bob Clay Caroline Seligman & George Jolly Lois & John Sheaff George Sigut & Pamela Regan Melissa & Steve Skellie Karen Weinberg

Wilson Homestead Old Books, Sally & Joe Brillon Elaine Winslow Elana Yerushalmi Kamenir & Steven Kamenir

Friends Anonymous (2) Lorraine Agan & Joan Anzola Amazon Wayne & Janice Arnold Deborah & Charles Bailey Ben Baskin Jennifer & David Braucher Diana & David Britton Mary & Jim Dean Carole & James Dilley Bill Eberle Anne Finch & Robert Fakundiny Meegan Finnegan Marjorie Geiger Anna Maria & Walter Grom Andrea Grom Mary Laedlein & Dale Hall Happy Hill Farm, Patricia Nestle Dean Haycock Helen Hooke Jane Johnston Charlie Joseph & Beth Hill Jane Kana Ellen & Gary Lind Joanna & Rick Lederer-Barnes Thomas Lopez Richard Mazzaferro Jana McLeland Sarah McNamara Kathy Naftaly Network for Good Donna & Harry Orlyk Jay Portnoy Gary Rausch Marjorie Robertson Steve Ropitzky Janice Rossi Schaus & John Schaus Rowland Sinnamon Jonathan Tenney & Bethene Trexel Don & Sherry Wise

Jane Johnston Randy James Marjorie Robertson & Judy Casciare Loren Lebarron Tim LeBarron Christine Lehman Jennifer Hamilton Robert Lohnes Susan Lohnes Carol & Joe MacDonald Colleen Mason Mary Ellen Williams Burton Weir Mosher Monica Dore Robert Ptacek Mara Ptacek Teri Ptacek Olga “Jean”(nee Ware) Spencer Jane Johnston Richard Porter Brown Sr. Jane Johnston Evelyn & Nick Tarricone Ronnie Benware William Vedder Lawrence Vedder Pam Wirkki Tauno Wirkki

In Honor Of Terry Griffin Carla LaGrassa Sarah Kingsbury Sandra Kingsbury Teri, Janet & Renee Sophia Healy Larry Sconzo Stephen Webb

Volunteers ASA Board of Directors Linda & Douglas Bischoff Clem Crowe Cathy Firman Seth Jacobs

Tom Jilek Bill Krattinger Joe Palange Jonathan Proctor Emily & Jack Scieszka Marilyn Stephenson

In Kind Goods & Services Aztech Technologies Tony Erceg Equinox Golf Resort & Spa Doug Forth Tom Graves Greg & Pattie Hansen KA Sunset View Farms Light Hawk Leah McCloskey Fumiko Shido Jack Szymaszek Marty Wendell

Campaign Contributions Forever Farmland Campaign Anonymous Andrew Pate Design Deb Balliet Rob Bauer & Peter Subers Annmarie & Randy Boduch Pat Boomhower Renee Bouplon David S. Brooke & Sandra Lugid Brooke Michael Bump & Diana Dobbert-Bump Ilene & William Bump Cambridge Lantern Works, Nancy Krauss David & Eleanor deVries Donna Dodd-Thomas & Cliff Thomas Elizabeth Ellard James Gold Judy & Noel Hanf Richard Hogan & Carron Sherry

Margaret & David Horn Pat & Jack Isgro Katie Jilek Cyndi & Donnie Kelleher J. Kinsley Joan Lapham James Leheny Carol Levine Five Porch Farm, Dan Lundquist Maryann McGeorge & Susan Sanderson Bliss & Robert McIntosh Jill Nadolski Jean O’Hearn Andy Roach & Steven Moreau Katherine & Hugh Roome Margaret Melozzi & Dana Roszkiewicz Glenwood Rowse & Vicki Webberley Cliff Samson–Cliffs Vegetables Kara & John Scieszka Mark Tougias Arleen Whyte Grahame Shane & Regina Wickham Cindy L. Wilbur Mary Ellen Williams D. Alan Wrigley & Christine Kopec

Lewis Waite Farm Campaign Andrea Albert Marguerite Allard Magen Allen Brooke Baldwin Linda & Douglas Bischoff David A. Bevins Leslie Boden Tricia & Charles Bogle Gerardine Cox Samantha Dolgoff & Zach Perkins Jason Dragseth Debra Duchin Jerina Dushku Laura Fenton Terrence Fitzgerald

Stewart Galloway Mary Griffin Mariah & Juergen Hahn Lesley Halliday Judy & Noel Hanf Sarah P. Hanson Kara Heffernan Deborah A. Hefka Leah Hoffman & Ben McGrath Patricia & Jerome Janof Colleen Kapklein Joseph T. King Jason Letts Marcia Lewis George Lilly Sabina Maez Elizabeth Maley

Jessica Masters Christine McCready J.P. Mencher & Franklin Southworth Francine Miller Dore Nash C. Mark Overton Kathleen Prager Michelle Quintana Robertson Farm Feed, LLC Lucius Albert Salisbury IV Anastasiya Saltarelli Lewis Steele Zuleika Tenf Susan Trotiner Cecilia Villabona Monica Warren Ransom C.Wilson

You can make a gift to ASA by payroll contribution through EarthShare New York’s Workplace Giving Program. State Employees please use # 999-00648 on your SEFA pledge form.

Harvest Hero: $5,000 + Champion: $2,500 – $4,999 Cream of the Crop: $1,000 – $2,499 Benefactor: $500 – 999 Steward: $250 – 499 Sustaining: $100 – 249 Supporting: $50 – 99 Friends: $1 – 49

* The Community/ Land Preservation & Planning Fund of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region

Consider Making an IRA Charitable Gift to ASA

Monthly Randall Adams Linda & Douglas Bischoff Amy Davis & William Ambrose Monica Dore Dottie Halligan KC Consulting, Erich Kranz & Martha Culliton Diane Kennedy Long Days Farm, Deborah Jaffe & Edwin Schiele Ronald McLean Sarah McNamara Jill Nadolski Dari & Richard Norman Cynthia & Jack Parillo Mr. Wm. & Dr. Kim Ruhl Anne Savage & Michael Myers Louise & J. B. Sobing Erin Tobin & Roger Bearden

In Memory Of Frank Balliet Deb Balliet Steve Blackler Evan Lawrence Ron DeWitt Judy DeWitt Charles Edward “Skip” Henry

The IRA Charitable Rollover provision, established under the Pension Protection Act, allows individuals who have reached age 70 1/2 or older to donate up to $100,000 to charitable organizations directly from their traditional IRA or Roth IRA, without treating the distribution as a taxable income.

The donor’s plan administrator must issue the check directly to the charity. To make a gift to ASA, contact your IRA administrator and request a direct distribution to: Agricultural Stewardship Association Attn: Donna Dodd-Thomas 2531 State Route 40 Greenwich, NY 12834

Agricultural Stewardship Association

acres of farm & forest land conserved!

The Agricultural Stewardship Association (ASA) protects our community’s working landscape of farms and forests, connects people to the land, and promotes a vibrant future for agriculture in the region. To date, we have assisted landowners with the conservation of 22,328 acres of productive land in Washington and Rensselaer counties.

ASA receives funding from its members and supporters, which include the New York Conservation Partnership Program (funded by New York’s Environmental Protection Fund and administered by the Land Trust Alliance, in coordination with the state Department of Environmental Conservation).

Board of Directors David Horn Chair, Greenwich

Carole Lewis Co-Vice Chair, Shushan

Tarah Rowse

Rob Southerland Salem

Lauren Williams Brunswick

Mary MacKrell

Teri Ptacek Executive Director teri@agstewardship.org

Secretary, Greenwich

Annmarie Boduch

Sarah Ashton

Office Manager

White Creek

Renee Bouplon

David Fleming

Associate Director

Nassau

Janet Britt

Emily Getty Gansevoort

John Hand Easton

Diane Kennedy

Easement Steward

Donna Dodd-Thomas Development Manager

Katie Jilek

Buskirk

Communications and Outreach Manager

Breanna Lundy

Chris Krahling

Argyle

Dayton Maxwell Jackson

518-692-7285 asa@agstewardship.org www.agstewardship.org

Granville

ASA Staff

Katherine Roome

2531 State Route 40 Greenwich, NY 12834

Diane Quick

Co-Vice Chair, Greenwich Treasurer, Greenwich

Agricultural Stewardship Association

Senior Project Manager

Kara Scieszka Community Coordinator

visit us online agstewardship.org

follow us    We Conserve Good Farmland.

For Good. Forever.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Jim Newton, Cliff Oliver, Lawrence White DESIGN: Ruth&Co.

July 20

The Forever Farmland Supper Hand Melon Farm, Greenwich

August 17

Sean Rowe Concert for ASA Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs

October 12–14

18th Annual Landscapes for Landsake Art Sale & Exhibition Maple Ridge, Coila