Agricultural Stewardship AssociationYEAR IN REVIEW 2009-2010

Protecting Farmland in Washington and Rensselaer Counties

Dear members and friends, Twenty years ago ASA was founded by a group of farmers and citizens who were concerned that increasing develop-ment pressure could lead to a significant loss of farmland and threaten our vibrant farm economy and source of lo-cal food. It turns out that their deep appreciation for this irreplaceable resource and commitment to protect it was shared by many in the community.

Over the years support from our members has allowed ASA to grow into a professionally staffed land trust with the capacity to assist landowners across Washington and Rensselaer counties, steward a multitude of conservation easements and offer events and programs that provide the community an opportunity to visit these treasures. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we are pleased to have assisted landowners with the protection of 10,700 acres on 73 properties.

2009-2010 HighlightsHelped seven local farm families protect 1,264 acres

of productive land and ensure its availability for future agricultural use.

Worked with landowners to further 19 projects in progress, totaling 4,310 acres.

Hosted a variety of educational programs for children and adults on conserved farms to provide an opportunity to see first-hand what makes them worth protecting.

Fulfilled our commitment to the community and the landowners who’ve protected their land by visiting all of the properties that had been conserved prior to 2009 to ensure the terms of the easements are being upheld.

Land ConservationThank you to the landowners who protected their land and made a tremendous gift to the community in 2009-2010. Each protected farm helps us forge a strong local economy and sense of place while ensuring that we and future generations will have a source of fresh, healthy food, clean air and water, and beautiful working landscapes that nourish and inspire the soul. Brotherhood Farms, EastonAs one of ASA’s founding members, George Houser’s determination to protect his own land from development led to the birth of ASA and inspired many of his neighbors along the Route 40

corridor in Easton to conserve their land as well. With this last 302-acre parcel, which has been in the family for at least 205 years, the Housers have completed protection of their 1,030-acre farm. George and his wife Earline feel very strongly that they have done right by their family, community and the land that they love. George explains, “It’s beyond personal. People have to have food and the land to grow it. Together, I feel like we accomplished a great thing.”Castanea Foundation provided funding to purchase the easement on this portion of Brotherhood Farms, the Housers donated a potion of the easement and a grant from the

Historic Saratoga-Washington on the Hudson Partnership Program covered transaction and stewardship costs.

Moses Farm, White Creek and Hoosick Rich and Kathy Moses firmly believed that “Rich, fertile lands should always be farm-land”. They choose to protect their historic Eagle Bridge farm, home of renowned artist Grandma Moses, because they understand its value as a place to grow food. The Moses Farm conservation easement permanently protects 171 acres of high quality soils. So far, three generations of the Moses family have been engaged in growing veg-etable crops and selling them at their popular farmstand. “The future is bright for vegetable farming,” said Rich. “Vegetable farming is a growth sector of regional agriculture due to increasing interest in safe, healthy, local foods.” Rich and Kathy have three children of their own, any one of whom might decide to continue the farming tradition. Thanks to their parents’ foresight, the family farm will always be available to support new generations of farmers. Conservation of the Moses farm was made possible by a grant from the NY State Environmental Protection Fund, Castanea Foundation and a donation by the Moses family.

Mahoney property, Jackson

Mark T. and Quimby Mahoney moved to the former Ed Levin property from Massa-chusetts to retire and be closer to one of their daughters and her family. Their property includes a beautiful historic house and cluster of barns, as well as 47 acres of farmland which is leased to a neighboring dairy farmer for crop production. Having come from an area irrevocably changed by development, Mark said, “We wanted to be sure it could never be chopped up into housing lots.” The Mahoney’s donated their easement.

Stone Wall Hill Farm, Stephentown

Dale Riggs and Don Miles own Stone Wall Hill Farm, home to the locally famous farm store known as “The Berry Patch”. The farm produces an abundance of berries, veg-etables and flowers which are sold from the farm store and also at the Troy Farmers’ Market. Don and Dale are first generation farmers but they love their land as though it had been in the family for decades. While living in other states Dale said “We saw land gobbled by residential and commercial development, which is what happens to areas where people don’t value viable farmland. I would never want that to happen to land that I had worked and nurtured!” The NY State Environmental Protection Fund, a private family foundation, and generous donations from the community and customers enabled the protection of Stone Wall Hill Farm.

Robe-Jan Farm, Schaghticoke

Robert and Jane Herrington both grew up on farms, and met as teenagers at a country dance. They married in 1947 and began saving to buy a farm of their own. Bob worked for other farmers and also drove a milk route until they were able to purchase their farm in 1957. The Herrington’s raised four children on the farm and over the years, Robe-Jan’s starter herd of 18 gradually grew to 60. When milk prices dropped and Bob’s health deteriorat-ed, the Herrington’s never considered giving up the farm. Bob was an avid hunter with a firm belief in conservation, whether of wildlife or of the land, and was determined to protect his family farm.Sadly, Bob Herrington passed away before he reached that goal. His wife Jane finalized the permanent protection of Robe-Jan Farm, fulfilling Bob’s wishes for the future of the land he cared for so much. The NY State Environmental Protection Fund, the Town of Schaghticoke and Rensselaer County provided funding for the conservation of Robe-Jan Farm. The Herrington family donated a portion of the easement.

Evergreen Farm and Maple Lane Farm, Hoosick and PetersburghCollaboration between Dave Green and The Willbrant family resulted in the conserva-tion of Evergreen Farm and Maple Lane Farm. These farms are the first of five contigu-ous farms being conserved along the rich Hoosic River corridor in northeastern Rens-selaer County.Fifth generation dairy farmer Dave Green began expanding his operation in 1990, even-tually almost tripling the size of his herd. To support this growth, he leased land from his neighbors, the Willbrants, for crop production. Having retired from farming, the Willbrants were happy to rent their land to their trusted neighbor Dave. By selling development rights on Evergreen Farm, Dave was able to purchase the con-served Maple Lane Farm from the Willbrants who have been granted a life estate. Dave has the security of owning the land his operation depends upon and the Willbrants have the satisfaction of knowing their land will continue to be farmed. Funding from the NY State Environmental Protection Fund and a private family foundation and donations by the Green and Will-brant families made the protection of these farms possible.

Outreach and EducationASA offered a number of events and programs in 2009-2010 designed to connect the public with our work and the lands we’ve helped protect. We held four public events; our annual dinner, a Barn Dance and Pig Roast Picnic with the Pember museum at the Hogan barn in Hampton, and our 8th Landscapes for Landsake art exhibition. Approximately 1,250 people

attended an event or program to learn about the importance of agriculture’s economic, environmental and historic value to the region.A group of children and adults joined naturalist Howard Romack for an exploration of the wild side of the conserved Elihu Farm in Easton. Noted mycologist Sue Van Hook led a large group on a Wild Mushroom Hunt in the conserved Klein forest in Jackson. Sue also gave an in-depth lecture at the Greenwich Library on how to identify wild mushrooms. ASA partnered with the Southern Adirondack Audubon Society to host

a bird watching tour of the Washington County Grassland Important Bird Area. Participants learned about some of the birds this area sustains and why protecting their habitat is critical. And John and Peg Underwood hosted a tour of the sugaring and saw mill operation they run on their protected forested property in Hebron.

Stewardship As the number of protected properties grows, so does ASA’s responsibility to steward them and ensure that the conservation goals set forth in the easement are being upheld. In 2009-2010 ASA’s stewardship team, in partnership with the landowners, conducted site visits to all properties under easement. This year we began investigating collective easement defense insurance that will protect the organizational assets in case of litigation. Hank Howard and Edie Brown, who donated an easment on their Greenwich property, home to Owl Pen Books, in 2006 said “We look forward to Janet’s visit every year and the opportunity to walk the property with her, note changes and share our plans for its future. Conserving our land was a big decision and we feel secure knowing that ASA is a responsible organization with the ability to protect it far into the future.”

Special Thanks

We would like to thank three of our members for generously hosting two spectacular receptions in fiscal year 2009-2010 to promote ASA’s farmland conservation efforts. Cookbook author and restaurateur Suvir Saran, and Charlie Burd welcomed guests to their home at American Masala Farm in Hebron for wine and culinary treats. And Elizabeth Gambee Osborn invited guests to Eagles Rest Farm in Hebron to stroll through the “Gallery in the Garden” featuring paintings by local artist and farmland chronicler Harry Orlyk. Special thanks to Harry for donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of his paintings to ASA’s farmland protection program.

Individual Contributions

16%

Events 6%

Foundation & Government

Grants 52%

Program Income 15%

Investments1%

Net Assets Released

10%

Operating Revenue by Category$440,870

Statement of ActivityApril 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010Most of ASA’s operating income derives from individuals and grants which provide the funds necessary to carry out ASA’s day to day programs including conservation easement acquisition, stewardship and education and outreach.

Land Protection40%

Land Stewardship

13%

Outreach & Education

31%

Management & Support

12%

Fundraising4%

Operating Expenses by Category$407,391

Easement Acquisition

Expenses90%Stewardship&

Defense Fund10%

Allocation of Capital Funds$625,430

Foundations26%

Individual Contributions

4%

Government Grants

65%

Net Assets Released

5%

Source of Capital Funds for Easement Acquisition & Stewardship - $625,430

FoundationsAnonymous (2)Castanea FoundationThe Conservation FundGordon FoundationNordlys Foundation

GovernmentNatural Heritage TrustNew York State Agriculture & MarketsNew York State Conservation Partnership ProgramRensselaer CountySaratoga-Washington on the Hudson PartnershipTown of SchaghticokeWashington County

Cream of the CropAnonymous (5)Agamora Farm a division of Beech Hill FarmsCaffry & Flower, Attorneys at LawNoel and Judy HanfLaurie and Jim HigginsJohn Stokowski & Sons, Inc.The Phantom LaboratoryMark and Quimby MahoneyMcGraw-Hill CompaniesPeg OlsenDon Pompliano and Kathy TaylorKathy and Hugh Roome

BenefactorAnonymous (5)James AlcottNorman and Gertrude AllenDouglas and Linda BischoffMatthew Bender IVNancy and Alan BrownRichard Bump and Vincent KelleherGrace CampbellVeronique de La BruyereGina, Stephan and Ajanta DeibelAlexander and Wynn EwingPhilip Gitlen and Melody MackenzieK.C. Consulting, Erich Krantz and Martha CullitonConstance KheelLonglesson Farm - Melanie and Bob MasonJuniper FarmSt. Croix Farm, Inc.

Mary OberingWilliam Ralston and Joan BleikampStone Wall Hill FarmJames R. and Gretchen D. RuhlReynolds Real Estate Richland FarmsCurt and Fleur StrandRobert TaylorMary Ellen Williams

StewardAnonymous (3)Randall AdamsDon and Tracey BoydPlanners East IncorporatedAlan Brown RealtyWilliam Brown and Sheila TuttleWilliam BrundigeCindy CarwayGene and Jean CeglowskiConcra Appraisal AssociatesDickinson & Company CPAsEl Paso CorporationFarm Credit EastBarbara Linell Glaser and Paul ZachosTerry Griffin and Peter DemingBarbara HennigKenneth and D. Nancy JohnsonIBM Matching Grants ProgramJudith Kleinberg and Ivan KazenJoan and By LaphamLaVelle & Finn, LLPRalph Lee and Casey ComptonMitch and Doris LevinnJosh LevyChris Lincoln and Tammara Van Ryn New Minglewood FarmWashington County Cooperative InsuranceMaryann McGeorge and Susan SandersonBliss and Robbie McIntoshRich and Kathy Moses, Moses FarmEd PelzNaturally Grass FedLisa Randles and Remus PredaPremier Dairy ServiceTeri PtacekMary Sautter and Peter Genier, Old Mill ApiariesTim and Lisa SmithMargaret StokowskiJane and David Suttle

Anne H. Van IngenAnne and Ethan WinterStuart and Jessica Ziehm

Landscapes for Landsake 2009 SponsorsThe Chazen CompaniesAgard & LaPan Land SurveyingCharles R. Wood FoundationOwl Pen BooksThe Fort Miller Group, Inc.Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLPBetterbee, IncStewart’s ShopsCaroline Eastman and Bertram FreedGreen Pea MarketPremier Dairy Service LLCWiley BrothersAckley & Ross Funeral HomeBattenkill Veterinary, PCBlack Dog Wines & Spirits LtdBooth’s Blend CompostCaffry & Flower, Attorneys at LawCambridge Auto Parts, Inc.Cambridge Valley GymCapital Tractor, IncConcra Appraisal AssocConsider Bardwell FarmDickinson & Company CPAsFarm Credit EastGlens Falls National BankHelping Hands Physical Therapy, LLCMain Street Pediatrics, PCSaratoga Living MagazineSchutze Family DentistrySurya Polo Club, LLCThroop Integrity BuildersBattenkill Riversports and CampgroundWalker’s Farm, Home and Tack

We gratefully acknowledge our members who gave $250 or more between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010. We also thank our many other supporters whose gifts play a crucial role in our success but whose names are too many to list. Please see our newsletters for a full list.Thank You!

Thank you to our Volunteers and Program and Event PartnersVolunteers Carolyn BraunJudith BridgeMary Dee and Clem CroweCathy Firman Brian GilchristDoug GruseML HealyJohn HomkeyElizabeth HuntlyDon and Kathy IdlemanIvan KazenJudith Kleinberg Ed and Millie LawrenceEvan LawrenceFlorence LeonJudy LeonKim Littell Leah McCloskeyLorraine Merghart-Ballard Annie MillerBecky MolloyJames O’HearnCindy ParilloBeth SaundersKaren SheldonRachel SkellieRandy SquiresJared StammFrank and Terry Ziehm Jessica Ziehm

Program PartnersElihu Farm - Bob and Mary Pratt Laurie LaFondLittle Theatre on the Farm Pember MuseumHoward RomackLarry Sconzo and Laurie SimonSouthern Adirondack Audubon Society John and Peg Underwood Sue Van Hook

Board of Directors 2009-2010 Seth Jacobs, President, ArgyleSean Quinn, Vice President, EastonTom Jilek, Treasurer, SalemMary Ellen Williams, Secretary, GreenwichGene Ceglowski, Rupert, VermontThomas Christenfeld, EastonStephan Deibel, White CreekPhil Gitlin, EastonRemus Preda, ArgyleJim Ruhl, Clifton ParkMargaret Stowkowski, GranvilleStuart Ziehm, CambridgeASA StaffTeri Ptacek, Executive DirectorRenee Bouplon, Associate DirectorChris Krahling, Project ManagerJanet Britt, Easement StewardMeegan Finnegan, Communications

Jennifer Jennings & Judy Leon, Consultants

Become a member of ASA and help your neighboring farmers protect their land and your source of local food.

Volunteer your time and talents to help with outreach events, mailings, professional and technical matters.Be a Conservation Leader by protecting your land and its conservation values.Make a bequest by leaving a gift of land or other property to ASA in your will. Give through your workplace and ask your employer about matching gifts or workplace giving through

EarthShare.Give monthly through your credit card and provide a reliable stream of support for land conservation.Honorary or memorial giving is a meaningful way to honor a friend and give a gift to future generations.Gift memberships for friends and families are a great way to show you care about them and your

community.For more information about ways you can support local farmland conservation, please contact Executive Director Teri Ptacek at (518) 692-7285 or by email at teri@agstewardship.org.

Help Ensure a Vibrant Future for Farming in Our Community

Photography: Lawrence White, Jeremy Green, Meegan Finnegan, Mary Ellen Williams

Agricultural Stewardship Association14 Main Street, Suite 100

Greenwich, NY 12834ph: 518-692-7285fx: 518-692-7720

asa@agstewardship.orgwww.agstewardship.org