Judy Wright and David Haight from the American Farmland Trust sit with Barbara Henderson (center) of the Cazenovia Area Community Development Association at Holmes Acre, LLC in New Woodstock, NY.
“This collaborative effort is educating local residents about agriculture’s economic, environmental and personal impact. We hope this will ignite a grassroots movement to protect one of our most valuable resources – local farms.”
- David Haight, New York State Director, American Farmland Trust
Farm acreage in Onondaga and Madison Counties has decreased by over 50 percent since 1950, so the Cazenovia Area Community Development Association (CACDA) joined together with the American Farmland Trust to address the issues causing the loss of farms. A conference and series of workshops educated farmers and public officials about the economic impact of agriculture. The group produced a 50-page book to increase public understanding of what makes farming important to our area. As a result of their efforts, the two groups hope local residents will join the fight to preserve our farming culture and create opportunities for today and tomorrow.
Impressed with the strength of their partnership, the Community Foundation supported this initiative with a Community Grant. Donors help fund innovative programs like this by giving to our Community Fund, which is composed of unrestricted gifts given to the Community Foundation over the past 82 years. That is why we are Where the Smart Money Gives Back.