Conservancy Secures $7.7 Million
New York State has announced awards for another round of farmland protection funding. Over $7.7 million in funding has been awarded to Genesee Valley Conservancy, 20% of the total statewide awards. This funding will allow the Conservancy to protect six farms, protecting 3,719 acres of highly productive farmland across seven towns in Livingston and Wyoming counties (over 31% of the total statewide acres being protected!).
“We have some of the best soils and the most productive farms in the entire State right here in the Genesee Valley and we are thrilled to be working with these farm families to protect the valuable soil resources upon which agriculture depends” said the Conservancy’s executive director Ben Gajewski. “We must also credit the counties and towns that have supported each of these projects, have demonstrated years of consistent support for agriculture, and are taking steps to ensure that local agriculture will remain in the Genesee Valley for future generations.”
How Did It Happen
The funding awards are based on a multi-year application process in which interested farmers are introduced to the farmland protection program through information sessions hosted by Livingston and Wyoming counties. Farmers then submit a local application to their county for review to ensure their lands are eligible and appropriate for permanent protection. Finally, the top-ranking farms in each county work with the Conservancy to submit a lengthy application to New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to make the case for why each farm should be protected.
How Will The Funding Be Used
The funding awards are tied to six specific farmland protection projects that will cover the transaction costs and price of placing conservation easements on each farm. To protect a farm, there is legal work, title review, and a property survey that need to be completed. Funding is also used to compensate a portion of the value of rights conveyed by the farmer. This allows a farmer to access some of the equity out of their land without subdividing and losing the productive acreage they rely on as part of their operation. This equity can then be used to reduce their business debt, acquire more land, add higher efficiency equipment, or make other investments in their farm. The landowners of these farm projects will donate 12.5% of the conservation easement value in-kind as matching funds to the State awards, totaling $1.4 million in donated value toward this preservation effort.
The Cedars (Castile)
Located in the town of Castile, this 62-acre apple orchard is owned by Kathleen and Alan Gregg. The Greggs are 5th generation owners. Their land is an impressive 76% productive USDA Prime soil. The Greggs grow apples and grapes which are sold to the Castile Cider Mill for their beverages. They also lease acreage to nearby farmers.
Gardeau Crest Farm (Leicester and Perry)
This second-generation dairy farm is owned by Tom, Yvonne, Daniel, and Ashley Swyers. Among them, they have three young children they hope will continue their family’s farming legacy. This farm supports 49 employees and has taken steps to maximize their community impact by adding an anerobic digester which creates electricity from cow manure; enough to power 600 homes. Over 1,300 acres will be protected across Leicester and Perry.
Fire Creek Farm (Livonia)
As first-generation farmers, Jakob and Kyli Stevens are just a few years into owning their own farmland. They worked on other farms for years before deciding to take the giant step of purchasing good land they could build their own business around. They will protect 276 acres in Livonia, which they use to raise beef, operate a CSA, and grow cash crops. This ground is 72% USDA Prime soil.
Sunny Knoll Farm (Leicester and Perry)
Brothers Eric, Scott, and Jason Butler run this dairy farm started by their grant grandfather in 1918. The farm supports 23 full-time employees and is directly adjacent to multiple protected farms. Over 1,000 acres will be protected as part of this project in Leicester and Perry. This ground is 72% USDA Prime soil.
Willard Farm(Avon and Lima)
This cash-crop farm in Avon and Lima will protect 567 acres worked by Marc Kreiger. This project includes land owned by his mother Dorothy, and aunt, Donna Brongo. Marc grows corn, soybeans, kidney beans, rye, wheat, vegetables for a local farm stand and sells seed to two local seed companies. These lands are 81% USDA Prime soil.
McClellan Property
Overlooking Conesus Lake, these 492 acres have over 2.2 miles of road frontage, including along West Lake Road. Owned by brothers Gordon and Robin McClellan, the land is leased to two local farms: Edgewood Farm, a crop farm that has been protected by its owners, and Dairy Knoll Farm. The lands are 65% USDA Prime soils.
Next Step
Securing funding awards is a critical step in the farmland protection process. Over the next 18-24 months, Genesee Valley Conservancy will ensure all the required work is completed in order to place a conservation easement on each farm and by doing so, ensure these valuable agricultural lands are forever protected and open for agricultural uses in the community.
In Summary
These projects were supported by Livingston County, Wyoming County, and the towns of Avon, Lima, Castile, Geneseo, Leicester, Livonia, and Perry. These municipalities recognize highly productive farmland is critical to the local economy and the economic future of the region. Genesee Valley Conservancy works throughout the Genesee River watershed to protect high quality habitat, open space and farmland. The Conservancy now oversees the protection of 26,312 acres.
Landowners in the Genesee River watershed interested in pursuing conservation options for their property, be it farmland, habitat, or a potential public nature preserve, should contact Genesee Valley Conservancy for more information.
Genesee Valley Conservancy is a nationally accredited non-profit conservation organization working to protect the habitat, open space and farmland in the Genesee River watershed. Over 26,312 acres of natural habitat and productive farm and forest land have been conserved by Genesee Valley Conservancy with private landowners. The organization also owns nature preserves open to the public for year-round recreation and education. For more information visit www.geneseevalleyconservancy.org