Saratoga Springs, New York, February 27, 2008—More than 250 farmers, local officials, environmental groups, economic development agencies and others from 45 counties in New York and four neighboring states will gather later this week for a sold-out conference in Saratoga Springs. The conference will highlight ways that public and private partners at the local level can bolster New York’s agricultural economy and protect the land upon which farmers depend. 

“Farms provide fresh, healthy food, enhance our economy and protect our environment,” said
David Haight, New York Director for American Farmland Trust. “More New York communities are making these connections and want to take action locally to improve economic opportunities for farmers and protect the land itself.” 

The conference titled Growing New York Farms in the 21st Century will be held on February 28th at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Conference session topics include: Learning from Long Island, An Introduction to PDR Programs; Using the Real Estate Market to Pay for Farmland Conservation; Farm-Friendly Zoning; Growing it Locally, Selling It Locally; and Developing Infrastructure for Agriculture.   

Event speakers include Patrick Hooker, New York State Commissioner of Agriculture; Joe Gergela, Executive Director of Long Island Farm Bureau; Todd Erling, Executive Director of Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation; Derek Grout, Marketing Manager of Golden Harvest Farms; Juli Beth Hinds, Director of Planning and Zoning for the City of South Burlington, Vermont; Steve Hyde, President and CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center; Jay Matteson, Chief Executive Officer of the Jefferson County Agricultural Development Corporation; Claire Morenon, Program Coordinator for Community Involved In Sustaining Agriculture; Sarah Noble-Moag, Treasurer for Noblehurst Farms Inc.; Teri Ptacek, Executive Director for the Agricultural Stewardship Association; Nathan Rudgers, Senior Vice President and Director of Business Development for Farm Credit of Western New York; and Bob Wagner, Manager Director for Field Programs and Policy Development for American Farmland Trust. 

The conference is supported by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, The Educational Foundation of America, Watershed Agricultural Council, Adirondack Trust Company, Agricultural Stewardship Association, Blueberry Ridge Stewardship Services, LLC, The Chazen Companies, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County, Cornell Small Farms Program, Elan Planning & Design, Inc., LA Group, PC, Saratoga County Farm Bureau, Saratoga P.L.A.N., Scenic Hudson, Inc., Westchester Land Trust and the members of American Farmland Trust.

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American Farmland Trust is a national nonprofit organization working with communities and individuals to protect the best land, plan for agriculture and keep the land healthy. AFT’s New York Office is located at 112 Spring Street, Suite 207 in Saratoga Springs. Phone: 518-581-0078.
AFT’s national office is located in Washington, DC. Phone: 202-331-7300.
For more information, visit AFT’s homepage at www.farmland.org.