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LAND
PRESERVATION
Farmers looking to protect their land in Dutchess County can turn to a variety of organizations and government programs for assis- tance. This work has helped posi- tion Dutchess County as a national leader in land preservation.
Established in 1985, the Dutchess Land Conservancy has protected more than 39,000 acres of farmland, water resources, wildlife habitat, and other county scenic viewpoints.
The conservancy works closely with farmers to complete “pur- chase of development rights” pro- jects, which act as a way to pass on land to younger family mem- bers or extract equity to continue the farm operation. It also assists farms in the conservation-ease- ment transaction process.
Plus, through its Farmer Land- owner Match Program, the Con- servancy pairs farmers needing additional land with landowners in both Dutchess and neighboring Columbia County.
Scenic Hudson has protected more than 13,000 acres of farm- land on 100 family farms across the Hudson Valley since 1992. Its recent work includes the protec- tion of 440 total acres on eight farm properties in Red Hook in 2012.
Since 1999, the Partnership for Manageable Growth Program has protected agricultural and open space resources throughout Dutchess County. This govern- ment program, which provides locally matching funds for land preservation purchases up to 50 percent of the total project cost, and has helped protect more than 3,300 acres of county farmland and open space.
Agriculture
Located in Dover Plains, Crown Maple is a leading producer of maple syrup.
including Bouchon and Eleven Madison Park, use Crown Maple’s syrups in dishes, and Crown Maple was also part of the menu for the 2013 presidential inaugural lunch.
“We take great pride in Crown Maple, and we have a quality product that we want to maintain,” says Rugenstein.
A NEW GENERATION OF FARMERS
The agricultural sector’s growth is partly attributed to an in ux of young farmers seeking opportunities in an area accessible to vibrant urban centers.
Those young farmers include Kallie and Michael Robertson, who own
Sawkill Farm in Red Hook. The Rob- ertsons produce meat, eggs, and veg- etables, along with soaps from leaf lard and beef tallow. At Growing Heart Farm in Pawling, young farmers Jessi- ca and Justin O erman produce veg- etables through small-scale sustaina- ble practices.
“It’s about a whole change in the way we live, in the way we eat, in the way we socialize and what we socialize around,” says Margo Morris, development director of Sprout Creek Farm, about the in ux of young farmers. “It’s food, it’s fresh air, it’s environmental integrity.”
From Here
These popular brands have links to food producers right here in Dutchess County.
to the
World
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