Stein Brothers Protect York Farmland

Stein Family Farms is a second-generation dairy farm run by brothers Richard, Peter and James.  Thanks to their efforts, 212 acres of farmland in York has been protected forever in partnership with Genesee Valley Conservancy.

The Stein brothers placed a conservation easement on 212 acres of farmland in the town of York, ensuring it remains open and available for agricultural use and will not be threatened by development or division.

“With the pressure of increased urbanization, we would like to make a promise to keep good land in farming.”

Stein Family Farms began with “9 kids, 3 cows, and a few heifers” in 1963, as Hubert and Joyce Stein moved their family to Caledonia.  Today, three of their sons own and run the farm which has expanded significantly since those humble beginnings.

Today, the farm is operating on more than 1,700 tillable acres between owned and rented ground, supporting 860 milking Holsteins and 820 heifers.  Milk produced by the farm is shipped to the Dairy Farmers of America cooperative. 

Just two years after establishing the farm, a fire destroyed everything and the family had to rebuild – not reopening until 1967 – thanks to help of many family and friends.  Today, the farm is supporting 17 full time employees.  The farm grows corn silage, hay silage, and wheat.  Yields are consistently above NYS averages. 

This is the brother’s first land protection project, although they are working with the Conservancy to protect much of their remaining land in 2024.

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.

In this case, the Stein’s nephew, Michael Phelps is working into ownership and management of the farm.  As a part owner, he is taking on more responsibilities on the farm and is bringing his own perspective to farming.  New ideas and techniques learned in college are helping him inject concepts into the business that are increasing yields, increasing sustainability, and lowering environmental impacts of the business.

This conservation project involved accepting the 6th conservation easement in the town of York by the Conservancy and the 123rd easement accepted by the organization since its founding in 1990.  The total land protected via Genesee Valley Conservancy is now 31,017 acres as the organization continues to SURGE past the 30,000 acre milestone that was reached earlier this month.

The Stein lands protected by this project include 66% USDA Prime soils and 32% soils of New York State importance.

Lands protected as part of this project include over 1.5 miles of scenic road frontage which will remain as intact vistas of the rural, agricultural landscape, that defines York’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 York and New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. 

To-date, the collaborative effort between Genesee Valley Conservancy and local partners has resulted in nearly $36 million invested in protecting 20,511 acres of some of the State’s most productive agricultural lands, here in the Genesee Valley.

The Town Board of York endorsed this project, which aligns with the town’s Comprehensive Plan to keep agricultural as a dominate land use in the town.

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 31,017 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.