Coyne Family Adds to Farmland Protection in Avon

Thanks to the efforts of the Coyne family, a total of 262 additional farmland acres have been protected in Avon in partnership with Genesee Valley Conservancy. 

“We feel as a family that it is crucial to safeguard this invaluable asset, for future generations to come.”  Land protection has become an integral part of the Coyne Farm planning.

Over a decade ago, members of the Coyne family protected their main farm as one of the first farmland protection projects undertaken by Genesee Valley Conservancy through the New York State Farmland Protection Program.  Since that time, the Coyne family has expanded their business, purchased additional acreage, and brought on the next generation as owners of the business.

These more recently acquired acres are the ones the Coyne family has protected this year.  With a protected land base, the entire family is committed to agriculture and can make long term planning and investment decisions.

Coyne Farm is a 4th generation dairy located in Avon, Livingston County.  They were an early advocate for farmland protection, being one of the first farm families to work with Genesee Valley Conservancy and the New York State Farmland Protection Program.  In total, the family has protected 1,669 acres of farmland in Avon.  The Town of Avon, also a strong advocate for farmland protection, now has more than 3,400 acres of protected farmland.

This farmland protection project was made possible by funding from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets in the form of a ‘dairy transition’ conservation project.  The dairy transition project aims to support protecting farmland as part of an operations shift from one generation of owner to the next.  By helping farms bring on their next generation of owners, the program aims to ensure the valuable soil resources that are the foundation of any farm remain protected and available for continued use by the agricultural operation.

This conservation project involved accepting the 23rd and 24th conservation easements in the town of Avon by the Conservancy and the 116th and 117th easements accepted by the organization since its founding in 1990.  The total land protected via Genesee Valley Conservancy is now 29,552 acres, just shy of the 30,000 acre milestone which is expected to be reached later this month.

The Coyne lands protected by this project include 74% USDA Prime soils, which help the farm consistently produce higher than average yields.

Lands protected as part of this project include over 3,500 feet of scenic road frontage which will remain as intact vistas of the rural, agricultural landscape, that defines Avon’s character and the broader Livingston County.

This project was the result of a collaboration between Genesee Valley Conservancy, Livingston County Board of Supervisors, Livingston County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board, Town of Avon and New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. 

To-date, the collaborative effort between Genesee Valley Conservancy and local partners has resulted in over $34.3 million invested in protecting 19,054 acres of some of the State’s most productive agricultural lands, here in the Genesee Valley.

The Town Board of Avon endorsed this project, which aligns with the town’s Comprehensive Plan to grow Avon’s agricultural economy, protect the environment, and support farmland protection.

Genesee Valley Conservancy works throughout the Genesee River watershed to protect high quality habitat, open space and farmland for the community.  The Conservancy now oversees the protection of 29,552 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.

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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 29,552 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 year-round for recreation and education.  For more information visit www.geneseevalleyconservancy.org