$20 million will be invested into farmland protection
By Diego Flammini, Farms.com
In an effort to protect important, at-risk farmland and the interests of farmers in New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced $20 million will be used to save the Hudson Valley from commercial development and reserve the land’s agricultural uses.
"Farming is a rich part of New York's heritage and remains a major industry that helps drive this state's economy," Governor Cuomo said in a release. "This historic investment will permanently protect thousands of acres of Hudson Valley farmland, growing the agricultural economy and ensuring the industry's future in the region for generations to come."
Through the Hudson Valley Farmland Protection Program, entities can help landowners protect at-risk farmland through permanent conservation easements. Projects that fall in Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Sullivan, Ulster, Washington and Westchester counties are eligible for funding.
"Scenic Hudson applauds Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets for this exciting new initiative to conserve working farms in the Hudson Valley,” said Ned Sullivan, President of Scenic Hudson in a release. “It is gratifying to see the State stepping up its commitment to our region's farms through this program, thereby realizing a primary goal of Scenic Hudson’s recent 'Foodshed Conservation Plan for the Hudson Valley and New York City.' Working family farms contribute strongly to our communities and to our statewide economy. We and our Hudson Valley land trust partners look forward to collaborating with the State's program to safeguard important Valley farmland for the future.”
The deadline to apply for the Hudson Valley Agricultural Enhancement Program is January 29th, 2016. More information about the program can be seen by watching a webinar.
Join the discussion and tell us your thoughts about the Hudson Valley Farmland Protection Program. If you’re a farmer within the Hudson Valley, how does it make you feel knowing the farmland will be protected?