Four Farms along the Hoosic River Receive Farmland Protection Funding
ASA recently learned that the New York State Department of Ag and Markets has awarded grants to four farms it sponsored for this year’s Purchase of Development Rights Program. The farms include: the 173-acre Moses Farm in Eagle Bridge, the 430-acre Evergreen Farm and 108-acre Maple Lane Farm in Petersburgh, and the 679-acre St. Croix farm in Schaghticoke. These grants will be used to purchase development rights from the landowners and ensure the protection of 1,400 acres of productive farmland in the Hoosic watershed.
Grandma Moses Farm Legacy Will Live on in Eagle Bridge
“Is there any corner of our county that conjures up images of our agricultural heritage more than the 173-acre Grandma Moses farm does?” asked Merrilyn Pulver, Chairperson of Washington County's Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board. “We are delighted that this farm will be conserved.”
The New York State Farmland Protection Program has awarded ASA and Washington County a grant to purchase development rights on the farm. The local funding match required by the state grant is generously provided by an anonymous local foundation.
Rich and Kathy Moses and their three children, along with many area high school students employed for the summer, grow a wide variety of vegetables and fruits that they sell at their popular roadside stand on Route 67 in Eagle Bridge and to grocery stores.
Rich Moses explained “This farm’s soils are suitable for a variety of crops. We wanted the same farming opportunity to be available to future generations as they adapt to changing markets.” Especially known for their sweet corn, the Moses Farm also produces tomatoes, bell peppers, potatoes, melons, peas, cucumbers, squashes, pumpkins, and beans. They have plans to open a larger farm stand on Route 22 and expand into a pick-your-own outlet.
Kathy adds, “We love living on the river and sighting the eagles and migrating ducks each year as we begin to wind down after the hectic growing season. Because the farm will be protected, people will be able to enjoy these same experiences forever.” ASA’s executive director, Teri Ptacek concurred, saying, “It gives me great pleasure knowing that hundreds of years from now, people will appreciate that the Moses’ decided to conserve their land and that the community supported them in the process.”
Two Neighboring Families Work Together to Conserve Their Land and Keep it in
Agriculture
With farms nestled on the deep, rich alluvial soils lining the Hoosic River, the Greens and Willbrants are neighbors who have long cooperated in their farming efforts. David and Leslie Green manage Evergreen Farm, a 5th generation dairy farm which they have grown into a 570-cow operation. They rely on leasing the Willbrants' land, which is an essential one-third of their operation's land base.
The Willbrants moved to Maple Lane Farm in 1955. Hilda Willbrant says proudly, “I live in the oldest house in the valley, built way back in the 1700’s.” Her brother Lloyd explains their conservation motives, “We don’t want to see houses out on these fields. We see what the developers are doing in other places, and we’re going to keep it like it is.”
ASA staff members met with both families to ensure their immediate and long-term conservation goals would be achieved. “Developing a creative conservation solution that suited the needs of both families has been inspiring”, comments Project Manager Maria Trabka, if more funding were available, we could use this as a model to help people in similar situations.”
Thanks to funding recently awarded to ASA and Rensselaer County by the New York State Farmland Protection Program and an anonymous donor who provided the local match; both farms will sell their development rights resulting in the collective conservation of 538 acres.
Using proceeds from the sale of development rights on the 430-acre Evergreen Farm, the Greens will buy the Willbrants' land. The Willbrants will retain a life estate allowing them to remain on the family farm. David Green explains, “This valley has some of the best farmland in the state and I’m glad it got approved for conservation. The funding gives me a way to come up with the revenue to buy the Willbrant’s Maple Lane Farm which is integral to the core of Evergreen Farm’s operations.”
“We are thrilled to support this neighborly conservation project that protects some of our county's most productive soils and successful farms but also honors the needs of people who have worked the land for their entire lives”, stated Ken Herrington, Chairperson for Rensselaer County's Farmland and Agriculture Protection Board, who partnered with ASA to apply for funding.
St. Croix Farm in Schaghticoke will be Protected for Future Generations
“With the views from our farm, many visitors have encouraged us to cash in, develop it and live easy thereafter. They just don't understand what a special place this is, as it is, and the history of it”, remarked John Moore who co-owns the 679-acre St. Croix Farm with his wife Eva, mother Beverly and sister Margery and her husband Tim Reilly. “Developing it would destroy what makes it so special and spoil the view for others as well. We just didn't want to break it up.”
The Moores raise beef cattle, grow crops and harvest timber on St. Croix farm. They also rent out some of their fields to Kernel Acres Farm, a heifer raising operation, and to Ren-Wa Farm, a dairy operation spanning the county line. Thanks to a grant awarded by the New York State Farmland Protection Program and the Moore family, who are donating a portion of the easement as the local match, the farm will be conserved.
According to Jean Carlson, Supervisor for the Town of Schaghticoke who submitted the application in conjunction with ASA, “The St. Croix Farm is a key part of our town's agricultural economy and its conservation protects water quality in the Hoosic River.”
The St. Croix Farm is located on County Route 114 and Ridge Road. “This is a historic farm that should be here for future generations” explained Eva. “Our family’s goal is to make sure that this land is not lost to development and we appreciate the work that ASA and the town are doing to make our goal a reality.”
